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AN ENLARGED SERIES Of 

FROM 

* THE DIARY, 
MEDITATIONS AND LETTERS 

OF 

MR. JOSEPH WILLIAMS 

it 

WITH NOTES BIOGRAPHICAL AND EXPLANATORY 

TO WHICH ARE ANNEXED 

SOME ORIGINAL LETTERS 

FROM MINISTERS, &c, OCCASIONED BY HIS DEATH; 
AND AN INDEX. 

CuvbettijStjeli IxiitTj a portrait. 



BY BENJAMIN IIANBURY, 

A DESCENDANT OF THE AUTHOR. 



" Mr. Williams was one of the most extraordinary persons I was ever acquainted with. 
I compare him to a valuable ring, where grace, or the divine nature, is placed like a large, 
refulgent brilliant in the centre; while good temper, lively spirits, a constant cheerfulness, 
■a tenacious memory, a ready utterance, and a pleasant wit, as so many gems, surround it j 
j.nd altogether made as complete a jewel as ever I knew." 

Rev. R. Pearsall; seep. 48Q. 



aonfton : 



PUBLISHED FOR THE EDITOR, BY C. TAYLOR, 
108, HATTON OARDEN ; 

SOLD ALSO BY WILLIAMS AND SON, STATIONERS' COURT; BUTTON 
AND SON, AND SHERWOOD, NEELY AND JONES, PATERNOSTER ROW; 
HATCHARD, PICCADILLY; BLACK, PARRY AND CO. LEADENHALL STREET; 
"JONDER, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD ; AND T. BLANSHARD, 14, CITY ROAD* 

1815. 



SKIT*™*' 






Printed by G. Brimmer, 
Water 'Jane, London. 



PREFACE 






TO THE ENLARGED SERIES. 



Dr. JOHNSON has remarked that— " There 
has been scarcely any man eminent for the ex- 
tent of his capacity, or the greatness of his ex- 
ploits, that has not left behind him some memo- 
rial of lonely dignity and silent wisdom;" and the 
remark is not inapplicable to the Author of the 
manuscripts from which the present volume is 
compiled. He did not, it is true, rank with men 
distinguished for science, but his abilities were 
of no ordinary description; and, without pretend- 
ing to deeds that procure the renown by which 
mankind is too commonly dazzled, he exhibited 
what are incomparably superior, a mind ardent- 
ly devoted to the glory of God, and a life spent 
in unwearied exertions for the best interests of 
his fellow-creatures. Eminent for the exercise 
of personal religion, he was signally success- 
ful in diffusing piety among all whom Provi- 
dence had placed within the sphere of his influ- 
ence. The name of Joseph Williams ranks, 
indeed, unusually high in the list of laymen 
who have distinguished themselves in the cause 
of vital religion ; nor can every minister rejoice 

a 2 



IV PREFACE TO THE ENLARGED SERIES. 

in more numerous instances of turning sinners 
' from darkness to light, and from the power 
of Satan unto God,' 

The authors of the " History of Dissenters," 
have given a sketch of the life of Mr. Williams, 
which they commence with these words: — " As 
the example of eminent ministers, which ecclesi- 
astical history presents, is so frequently rendered 
inefficient to private Christians by the notion 
that their superior religion was a professional ex- 
cellence, which is not to be expected from those 
who are employed in secular affairs : the same 
propensity to excuse ourselves from resembling 
the eminent, may have induced some to remark 
—That the memoirs which we have given of per- 
sons not in the ministry were taken from the 
higher ranks of life, when independent circum- 
stances, and freedom from the distractions of bu- 
siness, render devotedness to the service of God 
and his church comparatively easy. It is, there- 
fore, with peculiar pleasure, that we now intro- 
duce to our readers a devout tradesman, whose 
religion, excellent for its own superiority to the 
ordinary standard, becomes still more valuable 
for the stimulus it furnishes to the great mass 
of mankind, who must ever, like him, be occu- 
pied with the labours of a secular calling."* 



* Vol. iv. page 14, 



PREFACE TO THE ENLARGED SERIES. V 

Few books have been more acceptable to the 
religious public than the Diary of this excellent 
man, edited by the Rev. B. Fawcett, M. A. ; 
concerning which, the authors just alluded to, 
after stating, that — V The solicitude which Mr. 
Williams manifested for the salvation of his chil- 
dren, by writing such Letters as would do honour 
to any pen, was recompensed by the exquisite de- 
light of seeing their early and decided piety," 
add, that—" his Diary forms his highest eulo- 
gium, and may be pronounced one of the most 
useful books which a Christian tradesman can 
read ;" they might also have added — or which 
can he read by a Christian in any situation of life. 
To examine the productions of genius, even in 
narratives of fiction, is gratifying to persons of 
taste ; but, to minds piously disposed, it is far 
more delightful, and infinitely more profitable, 
to pursue in a register of religious experience, 
the gradations by which degenerate nature rises 
towards 

— " The highest style of man." 

The reader who may wish to learn by what 
means the new matter comprised in this Enlarged 
Series of Extracts from the Diary, &c. of Mr. 
Williams has been procured, is informed, that- 
Time has released from any farther obligation to 
privacy many articles which, in the opinion of 

a 3 



tl PREFACE TO THE ENLARGED SERIES. 

the Rev. B. Fawcett, * it was necessary to omit, ' 
when he prepared his edition. But a principal 
part has been derived from the short-hand manu- 
scripts of Mr. Williams, which the possessors 
from time to time, carefully preserved, in the 
hope that although to themselves the contents, 
were as a sealed book, they might possibly be 
deciphered at a future period ; and the Editor 
having made short-hand, as exhibited by all the 
systems he has been able to obtain, his particu- 
lar study for many years, has accomplished the 
deciphering of his revered great-grandfathers 
papers with complete success. From this cir- 
cumstance he has been able to avail himself of 
the important advantage of collating the abridged 
transcript made by Mr. Williams in long-hand, 
with the several articles as they were originally 
composed m the actual order of time and events ; 
w T hich has induced him to make slight alterations 
in some parts of the work previously published 
by Mr. Fawcett, by using the present instead of 
the past tense. Some transpositions of whole 
articles, have also been made, in consequence of 
the alteration of the calendar not having been re- 
garded in those instances. To give additional 
interest to the work, the Names of the several 
parties alluded to (which prudence might require 
the compiler of the first edition to omit) are now 
nearly all introduced ; and in most instances too, 
the Superscriptions to the epistolary matter are 



PREFACE TO THE ENLARGED SERIES. Vll 

given; several Notes, are also added, some of 
which are biographical. The method of distin- 
guishing the old and new matter is pointed out 
in the Table of Contents ; by turning to which, a 
great number of articles will be found to be en- 
tirely new ; and to some of the articles formerly 
published, additions, of greater or less extent, 
have been made, which, however, could not be 
conveniently particularized. The Letters and 
Extracts at the close of the volume will un- 
doubtedly be read with interest by all who 
venerate the memory of Mr. Williams, as they 
serve to shew, how much he had been esteemed 
in life, and was lamented in death. 

For the valuable matter derived from the kind- 
ness of individuals who are in possession of let- 
ters, &c. the Editor's acknowledgments are par- 
ticularly due to the Rev. Frederick Hamilton of 
Brighton, the Rev. Richard Pearsall Allen of 
Exeter, James Kirkpatrick of the Isle of Wight, 
Esq. and his sister, Mrs. Silver, relict of Tho- 
mas Silver, M. D. of Portsmouth, Joseph Bun- 
nell of London, Esq. Joseph Watson of High- 
bury-place, Esq. and his sisters, Mrs. Adding- 
ton and Mrs. Walker of Kidderminster, and to 
the two daughters of the late Mr. Joseph Green 
of Bristol. To the Rev. John Humphry s of 
London, and the Rev. Joseph Berry of Warmin- 
ster, the Editor returns his sincere thanks for 

a 4 



Till PREFACE TO THE ENLARGED SERIES. 

prompt attentions to his inquiries ; nor can lie for- 
get other friends and relatives who have render- 
ed him important services : viz. Mr. Samuel 
Hanbury of Westminster, the eldest surviving 
descendant of Mr. Williams ; Mr. John Han- 
bury of London, the Editor's father; Messrs. t 
Henry, William, and Benjamin Penn, and Mrs. 
Osborne, all now or late of Kidderminster. Fi- 
nally, the Editor with pleasure records his obli- 
gations to the Rev. Samuel Fawcett, son of the 
former Editor, for the very handsome manner in 
which he has expressed his approbation of the 
design of publishing this Enlarged Series, and 
from whose letter he takes the liberty to make the 
following extract:— 4 ' Yeovil, May 27, 1814.— 
Though I have not the pleasure of knowing you, 
I am happy to find you are a descendant of Mr. 
Williams ; and still more, that you value the me- 
mory, and inherit any degree of the taste and spi- 
rit of that venerable man. I am glad you have 
undertaken to publish an enlarged edition of his 
Diary, which I doubt not will be highly accept- 
able to the serious part of the Christian world. 
Truly happy should I have been to have furnish- 
ed you with any additional materials for that 
work ; but, after a careful examination of my fa- 
ther's papers, I have not discovered any by Mr. 
Williams, or particularly relating to him. Sin- 
cerely wishing you success in all your good un- 
dertakings, and all that happiness which is to be 



PREFACE TO THE ENLARGED SERIES. IX 

derived from walking in the steps of your pious 
ancestors, I am, dear sir, yours very respect- 
fully, S. R" 

The Work as it now appears in its complete 
state, is respectfully submitted to the patron- 
age of the religious public, by which, the labours 
of the former Editor have been so highly ap- 
proved. 



B. HANBURY. 

8, Temple-place, Blackfriars-road, 

April 6, 1815. 



PREFACE 

TO THE EDITION OF 1779. 



L HE private papers of Mr. Joseph Williams 
would have been published long ago, if the de- 
sires of many of his friends could have been gra- 
tified. Though the Publisher was for many 
years favoured with Mr. Williams's intimate 
friendship, and well knew that his Diary and 
Meditations were voluminous, yet he had no 
opportunity of perusing them till twenty-two 
years after the decease of the excellent writer. 
His widow would never suffer them to go out 
of her hands, during the four years in which she 
survived him. And after her death, his three 
daughters, whom Providence had placed at a 
great distance from each other, having agreed to 
enjoy the manuscript by turns, were so eager 
to extend their separate privilege from year to 
year, as absolutely to prevent others from shar- 
ing with them in their satisfaction. 

Such of Mr. Williams's writings as were pub- 
lished in his lifetime were anonymous. There 
are three poetical compositions of his in the Gen- 



PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1779. xi 

tl email's Magazine for 1736,* under fictitious 
names, which the reader will find in the fol- 
lowing pages, placed in the order of time to 
which all these Extracts are reduced. 

In 1740, Mr. Williams published a pamphlet, 
entitled — The Principal Causes of some late Di- 
visions in Dissenting Churches traced to their 
Origin, in a Letter from a Dissenter in the Coun- 
try. He submitted his manuscript to the criti- 
cal inspection of Dr. Watts, and made some 
considerable additions to it at the Doctors re- 
cjuest. 

In 1748, came out his Abridgment of the Rev. 
David BrainercVs Journal among the Indians; 
with Dr. Doddridge's Dedication of it, To the 
honourable Society in Scotland for Propagating 
Christian Knowledge ; in which the Doctor re- 
presents the compiler as " determined to conceal 
his name." 

It was certainly the farthest from Mr. Wil- 
liams's intention, that his Diary and Meditations 
should be published after his death, and with 
his name. His first copy of thfem was in short- 
hand, which none of his relations were able to 

* It has been ascertained that the whole number hfour : 
viz. two in 1736, one in 1738, and one m 1739. See pages 
90, 95, 97 and 134. 



Xll PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1779. 

read ; but lie himself wrote an abridgment of it 
in long-hand, for the use, as he expressly men- 
tioned, of his children and their descendants ; 
and which is now made public at the request of 
his only surviving daughter, his numerous grand- 
children, and many other of his near relations. 

The title of Extracts is given to the following 
pages, because it was necessary to omit many 
things, even in Mr. Williams's abridged copy, 
that either related to the private concerns of 
particular persons, families, and religious socie 
ties, or that were merely of a controversial na- 
ture. Indeed, for the greater part of the follow- 
ing pages, we are indebted to the kindness of 
some, who had been Mr. Williams's correspond- 
ents, or who happened to have any of his let- 
ters or other writings in their possession. 

What is here presented to the reader, contains 
a comprehensive review of a life devoted to God 
from early to advanced age, from about seven 
years old, to his entrance on his sixty-fourth 
year. Almost every year, in so long a period, 
affords a distinct date to some instructive or en- 
tertaining particulars, each of which is placed 
in the order of time ; as that appeared, on the 
whole, to be the most eligible arrangement. By 
this means a more just idea of Mr. Williams's 
real character may be formed, than could have 



PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1779. xiii 

been by a funeral sermon, where flattery is so 
often introduced, that the simplicity of the most 
obvious truth is ready to be suspected. To such 
truth, the Publisher apprehended himself strict- 
ly to adhere, when, immediately returning from 
his friends grave, he endeavoured, in a discourse 
from these words of the Apostle — c JBe ye follow- 
ers of me, even as I also am of Christ ,' to hold 
him up to the imitation of surrounding multi- 
tudes, as an example of eminent piety, whether 
we viewed him in his own house, or in the house 
of God, or in his transacting the affairs of trade, 
or in his zeal for promoting the honour of xl 
and the interest of Christ in the world. ri- 

ant as such particulars were, in their pe liar 
reference to Mr. Williams, yet the Publisher is 
well persuaded, that these Extracts are much 
better calculated to satisfy and improve every 
mind, not excepting those who were personally 
acquainted with the deceased, and who recol- 
lect his genius, learning, and retentive memory, 
his various reading, and distinguishing faculty 
for entertaining and profiting all that conversed 
with him. 

Here, it is humbly hoped, Christians of very 
different attainments in the divine life, whether 
weak or strong in faith ; whether engaged in pain- 
ful conflicts with their spiritual enemies, or tri- 
umphing over them ; may see reason to conclude, 



XIV PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1779. 

that ' as in water face answereth to face, so the 
heart of man to man.' — -Here the men of trade 
and worldly business may learn the perfect con- 
sistence between the duties of life and of god- 
liness, between their minding earth and making 
sure of heaven, and how absurd and iniquitous 
it is, to make light of religion, and ' go their 
ways,' in the neglect of it, ' one to his farm, 
another to his merchandise.' They may here 
perceive, how rational and scriptural it is, to 
' acknowledge God in all their ways,' and there- 
by turn success or disappointment, prosperity 
or adversity, into occasions of greater nearness 
and devotedness to God, more cordial delight in 
him, and fuller enjoyment of him. — Here the 
lovers of learning and science may trace the 
labours necessary for attaining self-knowledge. 
— Here the proud and passionate may discern, 
that the difficulties of 'being clothed with humi- 
lity,' and of * putting on the incorruptible orna- 
ment of a meek and quiet spirit,' are not insur- 
mountable. — Here the indolent and slothful have 
a convincing proof, that ' the kingdom of heaven 
sufFereth violence, and the violent take it by 
force.' — Here they ' who did run well,' but were 
easily * hindered, that they should not obey the 
truth,' are taught, both the duty and happiness, 
of being ' stedfast, immoveable, always abound- 
ing in the work of the Lord.' — Here doubting 
and trembling souls, with all their load of per- 



PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1779. XV 

plexity and uneasiness concerning their eternal 
state, have before them an example of one, who, 
in some seasons of his life, exactly resembled 
themselves; though, at other times, he * rejoiced 
with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.' — Here 
parents and heads of families are prompted to 
try themselves, whether they are manifesting 
their own piety by earnest endeavours to ' form 
Christ in' their children and servants, and what 
disinterested, zealous, and prudent measures 
they are pursuing for the present and everlast- 
ing happiness of the next generation, that when 
they themselves die, their successors may ■ arise 
up, and call them blessed.' — Even the most de- 
vout and heavenly minds will here have the 
pleasure to see, what they themselves feel, that 
Mr. Williams never thought himself ' already 
perfect,' but was ever restless in his desires and 
endeavours to love God more ardently, to have 
greater zeal and success in doing good to others, 
and that he himself ' might win Christ, and be 
found in him.' 

These histories of pious reflection, these de- 
vout exercises of the heart, while they were in 
manuscript, were blessed as the means of be- 
ginning piety in some, and of reviving it in 
others of Mr. Williams's descendants. May 
divine grace assist readers of every age and 
character, of every condition and relation, so 



XVi PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1779. 

to improve them, as to ' be followers of him, 
who through faith and patience inherits the 
promises.' 



B. FAWCJETT. 



Kidderminster, 

March 16, 1779. 



# This eminent minister was born Aug. 16, 1715, and 
died Oct. 18, 1780. Ample testimony is borne to his dili- 
gence and zeal in the ensuing pages ; but, for farther parti- 
culars, reference may be made to a funeral sermon by the 
Rev. Thomas Tayler, late of Carter-lane, London ; which 
is prefixed to the last edition of a very valuable work by 
Mr. F. entitled — The Grand Inquiry. In Mr. T.'s dis- 
course will be found a succinct, but interesting account of 
Mr. Fawcett; with a correct list of his labours for the press, 
to the number of twenty-four. Other particulars of Mr. 
F. are contained in — Letters to Dissenting Ministers, &c, 
from the Rev. Job Orton ; with potes, &c. by the Rev. S» 
Palmer: 2 vols. 12mo. 1806. 



CONTENTS. 



CONTENTS. 



The articles which compose the edition of 1779, by the Rev. B. Faiocelt, are with- 
out asterisks ; but some of the articles published by Mr. F. which are ?u>R> 
enlarged from the Author's MSS. are distinguished thus (t). 

A. D. Mtat. Page 

1699. f HIS early piety 7 to 18 ... 1 

1710. Nov. 14. * Comfort, after great dejection 18 ... 11 

1712. Mar. 2. * His admission to the Lord's supper 20 ... 12 

1715. Jan. 1. * A beneficial disappointment 23 ... 13 

...... ... * New-year's day.. ,.*, 13 

29. * Spiritual lethargy deplored 14? 

...... Mar. 13. * On the Christian sabbath 15 

Apr. 3. * Returning, after desertion 18 

July 3. *' Faint, yet pursuing' , 13 

1716. Jan. 6. * Self-examination 24 ... 20 

24. * Peace spoken to his soul 21 

31. * Commencement of his courtship 21 

...... Nov. 3. * Confession of sins ., 22 

Dec. 16. * Covenant transactions , 25 ... 24 

1717. Feb. 2. * Special self-examination 24 

Mar. 3. * Pious resolutions , , 30 

10. * Spiritual watchfulness 31 

Apr. 7. * Compunctions of conscience 32 

July 4. * His father's temporal affairs disclosed... ... ... 33 

Aug. 4. His growth in piety 34 

5. *Holy joy, and the grounds of it..... 35 

...... 18. * Grace and nature contending „. 36 

1718. Jan. 1. * His spiritual progress... 26 ... 37/ 

1720. June 5. * Remissness deplored 28 ... 38 

Aug. 8. His dread of hypocrisy , ,. 39 

1721. Apr. 23. His hope of sincerity ti 29 ... 40 

May 2. A memorial of his father's death ,,.,,,.,, ,,, ... 41 

b 



XV111 CONTENTS. 

A. D. Mat. Page 

1721. Sep. li. * Of his first, and of his second child ...... 29 ... 42 

...... 50. * A spiritual sight of Christ ... 42 

Oct. 22. His graces strengthened ,. ...... 43 

1723. June 23. * His affections absorbed by the world ... 31 ... 43 

1725. June 6. His losses in trade 33 ... 44 

Aug. 1. fHis trials sanctified 46 

1726. Aug. — . Thoughts on his eternal state 34 ... 54 

Nov. 16. A time of sickness and death 35 ... 56 

1727. Feb. 5. * Death of the Rev. F. Spilsbury 60 

June 28. Sickness and death improved 61 

1728. Mar.27. * His second Lancashire journey 36 ... 61 

...... June 21. ^Christians excited to promote spiritual 

conversation .„ ... 62 

....... Aug. 2. * Flattery rejected, and sincerity solicited ... ... 64 

Sept. 1. Meditation before the Lord's supper 65 

1729. July 27. Thoughts on the last judgment 37 ... 67 

1730. Feb. 1. * Holy resolutions confirmed 38 ... .71 

" ' ti S 3 6 I* Admonitions to a minister 72 

1731. June 19. Joy and peace in believing 39 ... 73 

* The heavenly rest ... 74 

1732. Oct. 22. On keeping himself from his iniquity 40 ... 80 

1733. Nov. 28. * His inclination to the office of the ministry 42 ... 82 

1734. Nov. 7. Thoughts on apparitions 84 

1735. Feb. 1. How pious inclinations became prevalent 43 ... 87 

June 4. The death of a child 88 

...... Sep. 27. Meditation among the tombs , 91 

17 "^1 P-s friendship 44... 90 

June 6, * Self-exhortation , ,, 97 

Aug. — . Verses to a friend recovered from illness ... ... 97 

^ Dec. 5. * His life threatened, and his conduct 

thereon 45 ... 99 

1737. July 24. Whether God or the world were his por- 
tion? 103 

30. Devout retirement from the world 106 

31. God, terrible to guilty souls 108 

Sep. 18. Growth in grace 110 

24. Family afflictions 112 

c Oct. 23. The folly of immoderate anger 115 



CONTENTS. XIX 

A. D. Mat. Page 

1737. Nov. — . Inconveniences on a journey 45 ... 117 

Dec. 4. Endeavours to reclaim a brother 46 ... 118 

...... ... The convinced sinner 119 

1738. Jan. I. New-year's day 122 

Feb. 5. Unhappy temper at the Lord's table 122 

Mar. 26. A state of true contentment 123 

June — . * Renewed endeavours to reclaim a brother 125 

July 2. * Death of a friend 126 

11. Youth excited to think of death 128 

15. * Deliverance from fire 131 

— . Conjugal love 134 

Aug. 6. * Death of a sister 135 

... * On fear of death 137 

30. Preparation for death 138 

Sep. 1. * Hopeful prospects concerning a child ... 140 

17. Committing the spirit to Christ 140 

1739. April S. A good man satisfied from himself 47 ... 143 

Aug. 5. Desiring to see Jesus 147 

...... — . A prospect of the New Jerusalem 147 

26. Mercies and thanks 151 

Oct. 20. Counsel and comfort to the afflicted 154 

1740. Mar. 14. Heavenly-mindedness 48 ... 156 

June 7. *The Gospel call 157 

July 24. * Of * the water of life' 159 

Aug. 10. The wisdom of numbering our days 160 

Sept. 2. Meditation among the tombs 162 

Nov. 8. * Concern for a child's spiritual welfare... ... ... 164 

1741. Mar. 21. * His efforts for the poor 49 ... 165 

22. * On sudden death 167 

July 4. Meditation before the Lord's supper 168 

Nov. 1. Sanctifying the Lord's-day 170 

Dec. 5. Self-examination before the Lord's supper 50 ... 172 

26. Heaven is the Christian's home 174 

1742. Jan. 1. * New-year's reflections on death 175 

Feb. 17. Communion with God 176 

Mar.20. Christ in us, the hope of glory ... ... 178 

June 14. *' A time to weep, and a time to laugh' 180 

...... July 2. Promoting piety in a daughter 183 

Aug. 14. * Duties to be observed in affliction ... ... 185. 

b 2 



XX CONTENTS, 

A. £>. Mat. Page. 

1712, Sep, 1.1. Narrow escape from death,. ...... ,,,«....., 50 ... 186 

Nov. 11, * Death of the Rev. M. Bradshaw 187 

1743. Aug. 6. Meditation before the Lord's supper 51 ... 189 

...... Dec. 4. * Invocation of Christ, and sacramental 

communion suggested 52 ... 191 

1744. Mar. 12. * Worship due to the Lord Jesus 194 

June 17. The omniscience of God..................... ,,f ... 199 

Aug. 12, Self-examination.... , ,. 201 

26. Happy temper at the Lord's table ... ... 203 

1745. Mar. 9. Social prayer for the choice of a minister 53 ... 205 

Sep. 11. * National calamity contemplated ... 207 

...... Nov. 3. Christ ' delivered for our offences'. 208 

...... — . * The saints' triumph over death and the 

grave ,. 209 

♦..,., 9. * He associates in defence of his king and 

country „. 210 

...... 25. * Instructions for spiritual improvement in 

national distress , 54 ... 212 

1746. Jan. 31, * The hidden life of a Christian : and a 

Christian rejoicing that his children 

are ' born again'..... ... 214 

Feb. 12. * Spiritual instruction, addressed to a 

daughter < ... ... 219 

13. * Attention directed to the dealings of 

Providence .. ... 222 

...... 23. * Experience of the Rev. W. Grimshaw, 

A.B 225 

Mar. 15. * His opinion of the state of religion: and 

his nephew's spiritual condition 230 

. = .... Apr. 15. The doubting Christian comforted ., 234 

Aug. 18. * Counsel to the desponding 236 

Sep. 5. Self-examination before the Lord's supper 238 

1747. Feb. 17. Comfort laid up for future trials 55 ... 239 

... Promoting piety in a son-in-law 242 

23. Christ with them that meet in his name 244 

* A review of God's dealings with him 245 

May 2. Confirming piety in a daughter 252 

4. Counsel and comfort to the afflicted 255 

31. WjodMj substance improved ., 250 



CONTENTS. XXI 

A D. Mat. Page 

1747. June 1. *A tribute to conjugal affection 55 ... 257 

7. The world eclipsed by a sight of Christ 259 

July 8. Reiterated endeavours to reclaim a brother 263 

...... 22. Saints shine with borrowed rays 26-4 

Aug. 15. Obligations to Divine grace 265 

...... Sep. 5. * The state of the religious affections not 

the criterion of safety , , 267 

Oct. 4. Christ calls his servants, Friends 269 

30. Inviting a relative to the Lord's table ... .,, ... 271 

. Nov. 5. * Instructions for improvement under af- 
fliction 273 

Dec. 12. Rejoicing in a friend's early piety 56 ... 275 

1743. Jan. 20. * Procrastination reprehended 277 

20. < Charity envieth not' 278 

,,,.,, 21. Objections to receiving the Lord's supper 

considered , ,. 279 

Feb. 17. A national fast 281 

April 9. Reflections on spring and autumn 282 

June 9. Visiting, a snare to piety 283 

July 29. * Caution and counsel enforced 284 

...... Aug. 21. The desponding Christian comforted ... ... 288 

24. * A comparison of worldly circumstances 291 

...... Sep. 5. * Advice to a newly-married pair ., ., ... 29S 

24. The happiness of living by faith 295 

...... Oct. 1. Wise children make glad parents , 296 

15. The intercession of Christ 298 

. Dec. 17. * Directions for examining and proving 

ourselves 57 ... 299 

26. * Directions for personal conduct 302 

...... 30. Desire to do good to souls 304 

...... 30. Cherishing serious impressions 307 

1749. Jan. — . * Riches not the proper object of their 

possessors' trust 310 

Feb. 10. Boldness at the throne of grace 312 

— . An hymn ... 314 

24. Self abased, and Christ exalted 315 

Mar. 5. Sacramental meditation 318 

April 9. * Christ, the supreme object of love 319 

May 17. Sympathy with the afflicted ,. ... ...320 

...... May 24. Clearing up a title to heaven ... ... 322 



XXII COKTEN1S. 

A. D. &tat. Page 

1749. Jane 14. * The nature and design of the Lord's 

supper 57 ... 523 

30. Success in praying with a poor man 326 

July 14. The nominal Christian ... ... 327 

Aug. 2. * A journey spiritually applied 328 

12. Desiring God above all 329 

26. * Godly jealousy over self, prescribed ..*. 350 

... Setting the Lord always before us 331 

Sep. 6. God's gift of his Son 334 

...... 30. *A summary of duties for the newly- 
married 335 

Nov. 4. * Death of a grandchild 339 

7. Cheerful views of a future state 340 

' 20. * The Christian duty of habitual praise 

inculcated 58 ... 342 

Dec. 20. Promoting piety in a youth 344 

23. Lukewarmness lamented ... ...546 

1750. Feb. 13. *An endeavour to promote the conver- 

sion of a fellow-traveller proposed 347 

Mar. 15. * Christians should not overlook the 

Causer of causes 348 

, 31. * An admonition to the clergy of the 

Establishment ,.... 350 

May 2. * The irrationality of pride, &c ... ... 351 

...... Aug. 5. * Dissuasives from anxiety , 352 

— „ * Disappointments of Providence to be 

acquiesced in 353 

Oct. 27. Inculcating resignation , 355 

Dec. 7. His wife's death 59 ... 356 

26. * God, his refuge in affliction 353 

1751. Jan. 19. * Motives for thankfulness 362 

Mar. 1. * Friendly condolence « 366 

Apr. 13. Prosperity in trade 368 

Sep. 29. * His daughter Sarah's marriage 370 

30. The religious tradesman 370 

...... Oct. 9. * Faith and joy discussed : and the Chris- 
tian's duty in both 372 

17- * The Apostles' creed practically applied 375 

26. * His prospect of a second marriage 378 

Dec. 14. Counsel and comfort to the afflicted 379 



CONTENTS. XX111 

A. D. &tat. Page 

1752. Jan. 25. His second marriage 60 ... 3S1 

Feb. 6. *The religious tradesman's conduct in 

prosperity 382 

Mar.25. * Future happiness contemplated 383 

April 4. Sacramental meditation 385 

15. The importance of the Christian ministry 386 

... * Village itinerancy 388 

May 19. * An humbling providence 389 

27. * The duty of sympathy 391 

...... July 4. An afflictive accident improved 392 

Dec. 31. * His own death contemplated 61 ... 396 

1753. Jan. 13. * Afflictive dispensations 397 

Mar. 5. Sanctified afflictions 402 

Apr. 21. * On rejoicing in tribulation: &c ... 404 

.,..,. 23. * Happiness not incompatible with suf- 
fering 408 

July 8. Sacramental meditation 409 

Sep. 4. * Trading for Christ recommended 410 

15. * God, the director of our steps 411 

...... Oct. 20. * Counsel to the friends of a minister who 

was under dejection of mind 412 

Dec. 1. f Self-examination 62 ... 417 

3. * His liberality rewarded 419 

— . * On the phrase — " A merry Christmas" 421 

29. * His religious correspondence alluded to 422 

31. Thanks at the close of the year 423 

1754. Jan. 17. The duties of a husband 424 

18. The duties of a wife 428 

...... 21. * Conversion of poor Daniel: &c 430 

, Mar. 2. * His < full assurance of faith' 438 

...... 9. Longing desires after God 439 

18. Parental anxiety for departed infants 441 

... The faithful Christian minister 443 

24. Doubtful ways committed to God 446 

July 6. * Advantages of preaching extempore ... 447 

Nov, — . * A recital of his experience made useful 453 

Dec. 29. f Promoting piety in a young clergyman 63 ... 454 

...... * The spiritual merchant 457 

1755. Jan. 5. Happy temper at the Lord's table ., ,- ... 460 



XXIV CONTENTS, 

A. D. <£tat. P(tgc 

1755. Mar. 4. Meditation among the tombs .......,,....., 63 ... 460 

May 6. * The language of Canaan : &c ... ... 462 

Aug. 3. * Of belief and unbelief 465 

...... Sep. 22. * Faith increased by its exercise 468 

Oct. 4. f His superiority to the world , .,. ... 472 

...... Nov. 5. His patience under severe pains 474 

.;,.,. 7. His benefit from Bath waters 476 

Dec. 6. His increasing bodily weakness 64 ... 477 

7. f His dying comforts ,,, , 478 



Letters occasioned by the Death of Mr. Williams. 

1755. Dec. 31. * From the Rev. R. Pearsali to Mr. and 

Mrs. Kirkpatrick 488 

1756. Jan. — . * From Mrs. Crane to Mrs. Bunnell 490 

6. * From the Rev. R. Jenkins to Mr. Bunnell 491 

..,„. 11, * From the Rev. J. Brown to the Rev. R. Dar- 

racott , 493 

, Mar. 2. * From the Rev. G, Wilde to Mrs. Williams ...494 



Extracts from " Reliquis Sacra? of the Rev. R. Pearsali." 

* The character of Mr. Williams sketched ,..„.,. 497 

* His death deplored , 498 

General Index. ............ •*■ •<...*.»....., 501 



AN ENLARGED SERIES 



AN ENLARGED SERIES OF 
" EXTRACTS 



EROM THE 



DIARY, MEDITATIONS, &c 



HIS EARLY PIETY. 

1699. X HE first serious impressions I remember to have 
been made upon my mind, were, when I was about seven 
years* old, occasioned by the death of a son of James Payton, 
a boy in another family. My father coming into my room, 
told me who was dead ; and very seriously discoursed to me 
on the immortality of the soul ; the certainty of a state of re- 
wards and punishments ; my own mortality, and liableness 
every day to have such a change pass on me by death. I was 
greatly surprised, and filled with a warm concern for the 
salvation of my soul. It put me on praying with greater 
earnestness than common ; and I was resolved to do the will 
of God, so far as I knew it. 

When I was about ten years old, my father corrected me 
with a just severity for telling and persisting in a deliberate 
lie. He at length conquered my stubbornness, and brought 

• Mr. W. was born November 16, 1692, 

B 



-42 HIS EARLY PIETY. 1705-8. 

me to confess the truth. His rebukes, reasonings, and ex- 
postulations, wrought on me such a sense of shame, that his 
words wounded me deeper than his stripes, and melted me 
into very tender relentings. " Now," said he, " I forgive 
" you ; but I cannot promise that God will/orgive you ; and 
" if he should not forgive you, this one sin is enough to 
u condemn you to eternal misery : but, this I will do for 
il you, I will pray that God will forgive you ; and I charge 
" you to go into your chamber, and pray earnestly to God 
u for pardon." Accordingly I went, and on my bended 
knees, with a flood of tears, begged for Christ's sake the 
pardon of all my sins, and particularly this great sin I had just 
been guilty of. When I had thus spent almost a quarter of 
an hour, I rose up somewhat comforted, and the impres- 
sion abode on my mind many days, so that my prayers were 
with more fervency than usual, and I was so ashamed, that I 
could scarce look at my father, or any of the family. 

1705. It pleased God to take away by death my little 
sister Abigail, when I was in my thirteenth year. This was 
the first breach made in our family, since I was old enough 
for reflection. My father, after morning family-prayer, said 
something to us suitable to the sorrowful and awful occasion ; 
and gave us some directions how to improve the providence. 
I felt myself strongly inclined to get into some place of re- 
tirement, to meditate upon death. It was a remote corner 
of the stable, where, in the most solemn and best manner I 
could, I sometimes mused on death, and on my own mortal- 
ity ; and Sometimes, prayed to be made ready to die ; in all, 
using a low voice. My affections were engaged ; and very 
lively convictions 1 had of the vanity of the world, and its 
insufficiency to my real happiness. An interest in Christ 
then appeared to me better than all the world, and some 
earnest desires and breathings after Christ I then expe- 
rienced. In less than two years, my little sister Esther died 
also ; by which my former convictions were renewed. 



/Etatis 16. HIS EARLY PIETV. $ 

1707. After I had been some time at my father's trade, 
my mind was too much corrupted by the filthy conversation 
of the shop-men. Our minister* coming to see my father, 
directed his discourse to me, taking notice what a comfort it 
was to parents to see their children take good ways ; and 
what a grief of heart it must be to them to see them disobe- 
dient, and addicted wholly to play. He then gave me to 
understand, that formerly my parents had entertained good 
hopes of me; but now, as I grew elder and bigger, they 
justly expected that I should grow better; and what a sad 
thing it was that I grew worse and worse. Some other 
gentle reproofs he applied to me, which left stings behind 
them, and wrought kindly on me, and for a while brought 
forth some good fruits in my heart and life. 

1708. In my sixteenth year, I began to weave in the 
clothier's broad loom with a man who was an early riser 
and close worker, so that I commonly wrought with him 
14, and sometimes 15 or 16 hours a- day. This, prevented 
my opportunity for, and suppressed my immoderate love of 
play. Often on Lord's-days, I had serious impressions on 
my mind, which remained with me all the Monday morn- 
ing: but, my continual labour in the loom, and the vain 
discourse which filled my ears, together with the vanity of 
my depraved heart, too much wore out all impressions of 
serious piety before night ; and all the rest of the week I 

* The Rev. Francis Spilsbury : who died January 31, 1727, aged 60; 
after 34 years' labours in the Independent Church, in Kidderminster, 
He was father of the Rev. F. S. who left Bromsgrove in 1737, for Wor- 
cester; and afterward, for Salters-hall, London ; where he died in 
1782. The former wasson, and the latter, grandson of the Rev. John 
Spilsbury, A.M. Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford ; who had been 
Vicar of Bromsgrove, till the fatal Bartholomew Act in 1662, when he 
became the minister of a meeting-house erected in that town, in 1693 : 
he died in 1699, aged 71. Mr. Spilsbury of Kidderminster was a nephew 
of Dr. John Hall, Bishop of Bristol, who appointed him his executor, 

B 2 



4 HIS EARLY PIETY. 1710, 

was vain enough. I laboured at the loom two years ; before 
I left it, my convictions were deeper, and my resolutions 
stronger for serving God ; so that it grieved me to have no 
time in the morning for secret prayer, which was partly ow- 
ing to my fellow-labourer rising so early, and partly to half 
of my breakfast hour being taken up in attending on family* 
prayer. However, my Lord's-days' convictions had such an 
influence on my mind, that, for two or three days after, I 
commonly redeemed time for prayer, either from sleep or 
from meals. Towards the latter end of the week, my zeal 
usually began to cool, and my prayers to be formal and life- 
less, till on the next Lord's-day my convictions, both of sin 
and duty, were renewed. Thus I went on for many months, 
keeping my ground, but, alas ! making slow advances in the 
work of religion. 

1710. After entering into my eighteenth year, and chang- 
ing my daily employment for that which allowed me more 
time for religious duties, my convictions of sin, and hu- 
miliation for it, increased. I was more enlarged in secret 
prayer, and so filled with a sense of the greatness and ma- 
jesty of God, that frequently I was scarce conscious to a 
wandering thought in that duty. As I then worked in a shop 
with three journeymen, I found their conversation very irk- 
some to me, because I made conscience of my thoughts and 
words. Yet, though I came from prayer to the shop, re- 
solved not to hearken to their discourse, but to keep my 
heart fixed on God and heavenly things all the day ; after a 
while, the gaiety of my natural temper would betray me, first 
into free, and by degrees into vain conversation. This, 
much retarded my progress in piety, and filled me with re- 
morse and grief every evening. At length I prevailed with 
my father to let me work in a chamber by myself, but, though 
it was a commendable one, I was ashamed to tell the reason. 
Being thus alone, I endeavoured to keep my heart all the 
day bent on religion. To this end I contrived to set 



Mt. 18. HIS EARLY PIETY. 6 

Mason's Hymns, or some other devotional book, so near me, 
that, with little or no hinderance to my work, I could, by 
glancing my eye upon it, take in a line or two at a time. In 
this manner I committed to memory all Mason's Hymns, and 
with such a devout frame, that I could adopt almost every 
line in them; even his Song of praise for grace, — for deliver- 
ance from spiritual enemies, — for answers to prayers, — and 
for joy in the Holy Ghost ; as the genuine language of my 
own soul. 1 found my will so changed, from what it had 
been, that I entertained a very comfortable hope I was * re- 
newed in the spirit of my mind ;' and frequently, I had not 
only ' peace' but ( joy in believing/ 

About this time, I was walking in a summer evening in the 
meadows, and fell into a solemn meditation. ' While I was 
musing, the fire burned,' so that I could not but ' speak with 
my tongue.' I discoursed to myself on the shortness and 
uncertainty of life, my own mortality, and the wide difference 
between an eternity of happiness and misery. I had such a 
sense of the joys of heaven and the pains of hell, as made 
all the beauties of this lower creation to disappear, and all 
worldly riches and honours not worthy to be compared with 
securing my great concern, the salvation of my soul. I won- 
dered how men could spend all their time in labouring and 
caring for things which they must quickly leave, while they 
neglected the salvation of their souls. I wondered how people 
could so generally allow themselves to think and talk of no- 
thing but the trifling affairs of this life. I wondered at my* 
self, that I should spend so much of my time hitherto to so 
little purpose. I wondered at my father, though a good 
man, and my faithful monitor, that he had not warned me 
oftener, and more earnestly, of the danger I was in of pe- 
rishing for ever. I was glad to find in myself such a lively 
sense of invisible things. In this temper of mind I could 
almost say with Elihu, in wishing for an opportunity to pray — 
' I am full of matter — my belly is as wine which hath no 

B 3 



@ HIS EARLY PIETY. 1710. 

vent ; it is ready to burst like new bottles. I will speak that 
I may be refreshed.' The dusk of the evening, and the 
solitary place I was then in, afforded me a sufficient retreat. 
Sometimes kneeling, sometimes prostrate, I there poured 
out my soul before the Lord ; and there received an inward 
witness, that I was a child of God. I was even ravished 
with the love of Christ. I was in the apostle's * strait be- 
twixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, 
which' I then esteemed ' far better.' I w r as ready to say 
with Peter — i It is good to be here ;' and with Jacob — ' This 
is no other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven/ 
It left a devout serenity on my mind, which continued many 
days. 

On Lord's-day morning, Sept. 10, I awoke in a serious 
frame, lamenting my many defects and short-comings in duty ; 
and that, after such lively convictions, I had made so little 
progress in the religious life. 1 rose with a resolution, by the 
grace of God, to do somewhat to put the grand concern out 
of doubt ; to prevent my returning to sin ; and to bind my- 
self for ever to the Lord. Accordingly, I went immedi- 
ately up into my closet, and, having solemnly devoted myself 
to God in secret prayer, I wrote down my self-consecration. 

" I solemnly devoted and dedicated myself to him, who 
"is the King of kings; resolving, by his grace, to give a 
'? bill of divorce to all manner of sins ; and, to the uU 
" most of my pow r er, to strive and wrestle with all temp- 
" tations to sin, whether from without or from within ; to 
" avoid, as far as possible, the society of vain, graceless 
"persons; to commend myself to God by prayer, at least 
"twice a-day; to be careful and constant in self-examina- 
" tion, and meditation ; particularly to meditate on the love, 
" the transcendent love of God in Christ ; and of Christ, in 
" willingly offering up himself a sacrifice for poor sinners ; 
" and in sending the blessed Spirit, whose strivings, and quick- 
" ening motions, I resolved, by the grace of God, never to 



JEt.lS. HIS EARLY PIETY. 7 

" quench. I resolved to watch narrowly against the wan- 
" derings and strayings of my heart in any duty ; to make 
" the glory of God, and the salvation of my soul, my chief 
* business and design ; and to account the affairs of this 
" world but as diversions to me in my way heaven-ward." 

This is the substance of what I then recorded as my so- 
lemn vow, determining from thenceforward to call myself 
daily to account for the actions of the day ; and frequently 
to write some remarks thereon. This course was of excel- 
lent use, to keep me close to God and duty ; to prevent 
sin ; and particularly it helped me to redeem precious time, 
for I made conscience of rising early. 

About this time, going with my father a few miles from 
home, his talk with me was very profitable. He exhorted 
me to serious religion now in my youth, as the season when 
the mind is most fit to receive good impressions. He cau- 
tioned me not to put off the grand concern to an uncertain 
hereafter. He pleaded with me, not only the uncertainty of 
life, but the improbability of my turning to God in old age, 
after vicious habits were grown strong by a long continuance 
in sin. To affect me the more, he gave me the following 
particulars of his conversation with a gentleman of his ac- 
quaintance. " 1 was coming home," said he, " one evening, 
" not long after I was married, from Bewdley, in company 
" with Mr. Radford and his son John. They had been 
H sitting some hours with persons remarkable for their per- 
u secutiug principles, and who had been throwing out severe 
" reflections against the Dissenters. Though the old gen- 
" tleman himself never went to meeting, except when he 
" was at London ; yet he had a high esteem for Dissenters, 
" and had courage enough on all occasions strenuously to 
" vindicate their conscientious character and practice : So, ori 
" this occasion, after having heard their aspersions, he ad- 
" dressed the company with some warmth of resentment, 

b 4 



8 HIS EARLY PIETY. 1710, 

" and said, " Gentlemen, you may be ashamed thus to abuse 
u better men than yourselves, men far more conscientious, and 
(l who live much better lives than either you or I do ; men 
u who make religion their daily business, and dare not allow 
(< themselves in those liberties of an immoral kind which you 

il and I do/' After he had related to me these particu- 

u lars, he then directed his discourse to his son. " Son," said 
he, " though I have not myself been so religious, and careful 
il of my soul as I should have been, yet I cannot but have a 
€i tender concern for your everlasting happiness ; and here, 
" before Mr. Williams, I admonish you, not to live after my 
*' example, but to keep close to such persons as the Dissent- 
" ers, and make them your companions. I have often advised 
" you to make this man your associate; he will lead you in 
u the way to heaven. You are got in with a knot of young 
" fellows, who will do you no good: but I charge you/' 
which he uttered with a louder voice, a to leave off the com- 
€t pany of such and such, and spend all the time you can 
" in the company of this neighbour." To which I replied, 
(( Sir, I am now full of business, and am much elder than 
" your son, therefore, young men of his own age are more 
(t fit for him to associate with. — On my saying this, he stop- 
" ped his horse; I being before him, and his son behind j 
" then, with great earnestness he declared to him, "I will not 
" stir from this place, until you have promised me to abandon 
" that set pf companions, and make this man your daily as^ 
u sociate. Mind religion, religion in your youth, and do not 
u do as I have done. I have slighted many convictions, and 
" now my heart is hard and brawny." I was in a manner 
thunderstruck with the old gentleman's last words ; and 
though my father went on to relate more than he there ut- 
tered, and the promise his son made him before he would stir 
a step farther, yet my thoughts were wholly swallowed up in 
deep musing on these words — " My heart is hard and brawny." 
I had such an affecting sense of the old gentleman's dreadful 



JEt. 18. HIS EATtLY PIETY. 9 

state, that it engaged my mind all the rest of the way ; and 
even while I was transacting business, it was still uppermost; 
for his words were ever sounding in my ears. Thus, I was 
kept long in a very serious frame ; and was possessed with a 
most alarming fear lest I should fall into such a state, which 
I considered as the greatest plague that could be inflicted 
upon me. In this temper of mind I returned home, keeping 
my thoughts all the way intent upon the sad and solemn sub- 
ject. * While I was' thus c musing, the fire burned, my heart 
was hot within me,' and using a low voice, 1 kept up a se- 
rious soliloquy on the most important concerns of my soul ; 
and the impression did not wear off a considerable time. 

Not many weeks after this, as I was walking in the church- 
yard, I began to muse on the antiquity of the church, and put 
this question, What is now become of all the builders of this 
stately fabric ? This led me seriously to consider the different 
states of the dead. I considered the many generations of 
mankind, "that had entered upon the stage of this v\ orld, had 
acted their part, and gone off from it. I considered also, that 
an utter end is put to their sensual pleasures and delights. 
Some of them were rich and great, high and honourable; 
others, were poor and despised, oppressed with labour and 
poverty ; but now, death hath thrown down all such differ- 
ences and distinctions. As is the poor, so also is the rich. 
The meanness of the one, and the grandeur of the other, are 
equally forgotten. Yea, the remembrmce of them, except of 
a few, is perished from the earth. But, what is become of 
their souls, their immortal part ? They are gone into the 
world of spirits, 'and their works have followed them/ What 
they sowed here, that they are now reaping, and will be reap- 
ing to eternity. I then considered, how little it would avail 
me, whether I were high or low, rich or poor, in this life, 
which is so short and transitory ; and how much it concerned 
me to secure my soul's everlasting happiness.. I had then 
such a clear, affecting sight of the vanity of this world, that I 



10 HIS EARLY PIETY. 1/10. 

could not but wonder, how people could busy themselves so 
much about it, as to neglect their souls. 1 wondered at the 
parish-clerks in particular, who were present at so many bu- 
rials, how they could neglect to prepare for their own death. 
I sought a place to pray in, and got behind one of the but- 
tresses of the church, aud there poured out my soul to God 
in earnest cries, for his grace, to enable me to live above the 
world, and to prepare me for a happy eternity. I came 
home with my thoughts so full of eternity, that I did not care 
to think or speak of any thing else all that evening. 

In the beginning of the winter, at the edge of a night on 
which our workmen have an annual feast, and for which pur- 
pose they were gathering about the door, I was led to think — 
What poor joys those of the world are, how low and mean, 
how transient and of short continuance. I immediately with- 
drew into the meadows. It being a clear sky, the majestic 
canopy of the heavens, bespangled with numberless stars, 
elevated my groveling mind to contemplate the superior 
glories of the great Author of this stupendous fabric. I con- 
sidered that what 1 beheld was but the porch, or rather some 
more remote appendage to the heaven of heavens. If then, 
the porch made such a glittering show, how radiant must the 
palace itself be ! I contemplated a while, as well as I could, 
the glories of heaven; and my mind was wrapt up in ambi- 
tious desires after a mansion there. I then returned, and 
stealing up in the dark into a chamber, I earnestly prayed, 
and afterward went down to company ; but the serious im- 
pressions abode on my miud all the evening, and especially 
prevented that gaiety, which on such occasions I was used 
to discover. 

Soon after this, I contracted an intimacy with Azariah 

a which began by my accidentally addressing him 

on an occasion while I was taking a walk for meditation ; 
but, seeing a stranger, I presently thought — Perhaps this 
young man has been bred up in ignorance : How desirable is 



Mt. 18. COMFOUT AFTER GREAT DEJECTION. II 

it, that he shotild be brought to a saving acquaintance with 
Christ ! On which I addressed him with a courteous air, and 
recommended the ways of religion to him. He attended to 
me in a candid and good-natured manner ; and we walked 
together, and talked on the advantages of early piety and se- 
rious godliness. We agreed to meet often for such'like con- 
ference ; and for many years after, there was scarce a week 
passed in which he did not visit me, or I him. He seemed 
to make a vigorous progress, both in knowledge and piety, 
and was often of great service to me: as Mr. Baxter writes of 
his bosom friend, 

u He warm'd me with his zeal, when I was cold ; 

Sl And my remissness lovingly controul'd. 

" For such a friend I had : though, after all, 

u Himself became my warning by his fall ; 

u As more than one or two have done since then ; 

" Shewing, if grace withdraw, we are but men." 

This very passage we several times read together, and were 
equally at a loss to know, whether Mr. Baxter meant it of 
his friend's totally falling away, or only for a time. We 
thought it could not be, that a person coming up to the char- 
acter there given, could utterly fall. I little thought then, 
that my friend, who seemed fully to corns up to that char- 
acter, should, in the course of some years, so apostatize 
as to become a common drunkard. Let this be a caution 
to me, and likewise a motive to thankfulness. * Thou 
standest by faith ; be not high-minded, but fear. Let him 
that thinketh he-standeth, take heed lest he fall/ 

COMFORT AFTER GREAT DEJECTION. 

November 14, 1710. Being charged with a thing I had 
done, which would have brought some shame on me, I denied 
it. The next morning, being in some measure awakened 
for my sin, I confessed and bewailed it before God ; and 



12 HIS ADMISSION TO THE LORD'S SUPPER. 1712-5, 

begged earnestly for pardon and for strength of grace : yet, 
Oh ! most horrid ! I had scarcely been on my knees an hour, 
when being charged with the same thing I denied it again, 
■with these words — " no indeed did not I." Afterward being 
awakened and convinced of my great wilful sin, I was 
filled with horror lest I had sinned the sin against the 
Holy Ghost ; and these two scriptures — ' For if we sin 
wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the 
truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins/ and, ' It is 
impossible for those who were once enlightened, &c. if they 
shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance/ — 
these, together with the subtle insinuations of Satan, brought 
me almost to despair of any mercy : but going in a few days 
to a friend's, I there met with a sermon concerning the sin 
against the Holy Ghost, which I borrowed, and on perusal, 
found that sin represented to be committed with malice in 
the heart toward God, when I had reason to hope mine 
Mas only infirmity, and want of watchfulness. This hope, 
through mercy, administered comfort to my- soul, and I 
sought by prayer the following dispositions — ' Sin no more, 
lest a worse thing come unto thee ;' ( Keep back thy servant 
also from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion 
over me / ' For when I am weak, then am I strong.' 

HIS AD-MISSION TO THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

Lorcis-day, March 2, 1?12. This was the first day that I 
was admitted to the sacrament of the Lord's supper. Some 
bright rays of the love and mercy of God were manifested to 
my soul ; the vanity of the world was deeply imprinted on my 
mind ; 1 saw more clearly than ever I had done, the odious 
nature of sin, and the excellency of a holy life ; and after- 
ward, in the reviewing of my behaviour at the Lord's sup- 
per, and in secret prayer, such impressive views were im- 
parted to me, particularly of the odious nature of sin, as 
I think I never before experienced. Hallelujah! 



jEt.Q.S. new-year's-day. 13 

A BENEFICIAL DISAPPOINTMENT. 

Saturday, January 1, 1715. I purposed this day to have 
gone a journey with my sister Hannah :* my mind was bent 
upon it, but the Lord mercifully prevented my goiug by a 
great fall of snow ; however, blessed be his name, he gave 
me sweet communion with him in reading and in praying, 
made preparatory work for the sabbath sweet to me, and 
put it into my heart to buy this book I am now writing in, 
for his use. ' Trust in the Lord with all thine heart ; and 
lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways ac- 
knowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.' 

Let me now record my reflections on entering upon an- 
other year. 

new-year's-day. 

Same day. 1 have begun a new year, God grartt it may- 
be with a new heart. How sad ! to look back upon a year 
far worse spent than either of the three last. Oh ! dismal re- 
view! What? to grow worse, more cold, more froward, 
more formal, more backward to duty and to spiritual con- 
verse with the Son of God ! How like a hypocrite, espe- 
cially of late, have I acted : how many mornings have I en- 
gaged in the business of the world, and how many nights 
gone to bed without praying, reading, meditating, self-ex- 
amination, or even lifting up a thought to God in mental 
ejaculations. Sad degeneracy ! horrid ingratitude to the 
God of all my mercies ! I despair of ever walking orderly, 
as becomes a Christian, while I continue in the neglect of 
every duty. I shall never excel while I neglect meditation, 
self-examination, and the recording of remarks on myself. 
How easily may it be done, and of what singular advantage 
may it be to write down remarks on myself, my experiences 
of my falls and hopes of sincerity. Surely, singular advan- 

* Afterward Mrs. Watson of Eromsgrove, 



14 SPIRITUAL LETHARGY liEPLORED. 1715= 

tages must follow such a practice, for hereby I may observe 
something of God to my soul, and of my soul to God: — I 
may pour out my soul to God accordingly, and be either 
humble or thankful : — I may judge how it is with me in re- 
spect of time past ; and, whether I have profited, by grace, 
to find out the means whereby I have profited, that I may 
make more constant use of such means ; or, where I have 
been negligent, to observe by what temptation I was over- 
come, that my former errors may make me more wary for 
the future ; — besides many other benefits which I may, by 
the Lord's help, derive from a diary. The Lord God 
humble me greatly for my transgressions and provocations, 
and enable me, by his grace, to live this year at another 
rate than I have done during that" which is gone. 

SPIRITUAL LETHARGY DEPLORED. 

Saturday, January 29, 1715. This night I was much 
affected in conversing with Azariah, # on the best method 
of carrying on spiritual converse to spiritual advantage. In 
retirement I became scrupulous concerning my thorough 
conversion. I wish it be not without cause. The Lord 
God engage me to and assist me in examining myself se- 
riously, wholly and impartially, on that solemn and mo- 
mentous affair, and enable me to carry it on, and to * work 
out my own salvation with fear and trembling.' Alas ! how 
am I bent on the world and the things of it, and how little 
on heaven and heavenly things. Ah! Lord God, shall it 
be always thus, shall my mind be still taken up with trivial 
things ; neglecting the great concerns of another world \ Is 
it nothing to me whether I be happy or miserable to all 
eternity ; nothing, how I shall improve and redeem the time, 
and employ the talents which God hath afforded me? Did 
I noi think it worth my while, some years ago ; wherefore 
now so lethargic ? A good God stir up the grace that is in 

* See page 10. 



JEt. 23. ON THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. 15 

me, if any such there be, and engage me to live more cir- 
cumspectly and becomingly to my latter end. 

ON THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. 

Lord's-day, March 13, 1713. It is written, Exod. xxxi. 
17, that ' In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, 
and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed/ Here 
is the origin of a sabbath, a weekly day of rest. No doubt, 
Adam acted under the influence of his Maker's example ; 
and so, before the flood, did all good people. A sabbath 
was observed by Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob ; and in 
the time of Moses the Lord gave the law, of which the 
fourth commandment is — ' Remember the sabbath-day to 
keep it holy.' All the first six days of the week it is permit- 
ted to us, and it is our duty, to employ ourselves suitably in 
our worldly callings ; but alas ! this world is too apt to over- 
come our seriousness, our religion, our thoughts of another; 
and, therefore, did God appoint a sabbath, that wholly 
laying aside all labour in our ordinary callings, we should 
duly employ ourselves in the promoting of his glory and the 
good of our immortal souls. As in the first ages of the 
world the sabbath was observed on the seventh day, in com- 
memoration of the work of creation ; so, since the resur- 
rection of our blessed Saviour the first day of the week is 
observed as the Christian sabbath, in commemoration of the 
mysterious and, if possible, more stupendous work of re- 
demption, which he accomplished on that day, and is there- 
fore called, Rev. i. 10. ' The Lord's-day.' 

Praying, reading, and hearing the scriptures, and devout 
meditation on redeeming love, are the principal duties of the 
sabbath! Every Lord's-day should be with the true Chris- 
tian a Christmas-day. He should rejoice in and com- 
memorate the birth, death, resurrection and ascension of 
the Saviour : He should meditate on the covenant of 
grace : He should be gathering on this day spiritual food 



16 ON THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. 1715. 

for the remainder of the week. Happy while in the en- 
joyment of the liberty of serving" God in his temple, the 
Christian should be laying up against a time when he may 
be deprived of that liberty, that during the time of famine 
he may live on the ' old corn.' He knows that his breath 
is in God's hand, he, therefore, gladly embraces each re- 
turning earthly sabbath, considering that l there is no work, 
nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave ;' and 
unless he keep his sabbaths becomingly on earth, he will 
never be admitted to an eternal sabbath of enjoyment in 
another world. The renewed soul considers that in hell 
there is no sabbatical rest, but exquisite torment ; no delight- 
ful work of praise, but blasphemy and horrid execration ; 
no such thing as increase of holiness in hell, but in heaven 
he shall arrive at perfection in every grace. 

O my soul, where art thou ? What ? dreaming about the 
^notional part of these things ! Art thou not afYected with 
the consideration of them ? Oh ! worldly, vain heart ! too 
prone upon the world, and sin, and vanity, else such thoughts 
would surely elevate me above all trivial enjoyments, and 
engage me more earnestly in contriving how to keep the 
sabbath becomingly. Oh ! that I more feared to speak my 
own words and think my own thoughts ; that I more feared 
to trifle away any part of such precious time. # Oh ! that I 
could fix my affections on spiritual work, that I might have 
my eye on ' my end/ then should I be more careful in my 
way, and more industrious to improve these precious seasons 
of grace. But, alas ! how unable am I of myself to effect 
what I complain for want of, and what I wish for. Spiritual 
things, by nature, are unsavory to me ; but thanks be to 
God, who hath given me somewhat of a spiritual appetite ; 
though, alas ! it is far too cold, too dead. 

O Thou that dwellest in the highest heaven ; who v hast 
said, ' Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock 

. . .. y , „ . « mm . ^ . . ■ ■ , _~ — , 

* Isaiah lviii. 13, 14. 



JEt.0,3. ON THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. 17 

and it shall be opened to you/ to thy blessed Majesty 
I would address myself in covenant. Shall I be always the 
same, and still go on spending my precious seasons of grace 
unprofitably ? O come, holy Lord, inflame me with ardent 
love to thee : give me me a filial fear of thee ; a concern for 
thy glory, and for the growth of grace in my soul : and in 
order thereto, give me a fear of offending thee on thy day ; a 
holy ambition to strive to outdo others in holiness and humil- 
ity, and close walking with thee ; and a thirst after growth 
in grace. O Lord God, I know thou wilt without fail grant 
my request, provided I use the means requisite on my part in 
careful preparation on the approach of thy day, and an appli- 
cation of myself to the duties peculiar to it, for thou never 
saidst ' to the seed of Jacob — Seek ye me in vain/ 

Adored be divine Goodness, not only for weekly returns of 
his precious seasons of grace, but for sabbath ordinances; for 
ministers who preach in the name of Christ ; and for liberty to 
exercise the right of waiting on him according to conscience. 
' What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits 
towards me ?' How many times hath my heart been warmed 
and quickened in duty on the sabbath, after a dull, sinful, 
and lethargic week ! How often have I experienced the con- 
solations of the Spirit on sabbath opportunities, and how 
much more abundantly might I have experienced them had I 
not been wanting to myself : had not pride, laziness, and car- 
nality prevented me. O blessed God, thou art not wanting 
on thy part. Give up thyself, therefore, my soul, into the hands 
of this just, good, and gracious God. On him repose thyself, 
thy all ; lay all thou hast at his feet, and wait for his assistance 
to help thee on in heaven's ways. Let not the world swallow 
up thy time ; let not sin and vanity have the choicest part of 
thy days. O Lord God, I am thine, but I may be ashamed 
that I have walked no more as becomes a child of thine. O 
save me from Safan, the world, sin, self, and every evil that 
may draw me away from thy blessed self* Amen. 

C 



18 i FAINT, YET PURSUING/ 1715. 

RETURNING AFTER DESERTION. 

Monday , April 3, 1715. Having been in a very luke- 
warm condition for a considerable time ; only now and then 
sensible of my sad estate ; forsaken of God, in some respect ; 
and, in a great measure, given up to the ways of my own 
heart ; I applied myself on Saturday evening to the work of 
preparation for the Lord's supper, and with great earnest- 
ness on the next morning. Yet, my thoughts were too wan- 
dering in all the public duties of the Sabbath. I had, how- 
ever, some light, some comfort, some divine influences on 
my soul; and afterward, in evening prayer, I was greatly 
assisted in imploring for the return of God's mercy by afford- 
ing me the aid of his Holy Spirit. I humbly hope I was 
answered in the thing I prayed for ; even while the words 
were yet in my mouth. Oh! let this encourage me greatly to 
be very constant in the duty of prayer ; not to neglect it on 
any account ; and to take pains in prayer. 

6 FAINT, YET PURSUING.' 

Lord's~day, July 3, 1715. This day I have been attend- 
ing among the people of God at his house, and in his ordi- 
nances. In what frame is best known to the great God, for 
my own mind is so darkened it can scarcely perceive the 
condition I am now, and was then in. What could be ex- 
pected after a long series of vanity, and a course of hypo- 
crisy, for the most part regarding the presence and observa- 
tion of men more than the inspection of the great God. — It 
is true I drew near to him this morning, with desires that he 
would not impute to me my rashness ; and with desires, 
though faint, that I might behave myself becomingly before 
him, and renew my covenant at his table sincerely : but, 
alas ! I was dull and unconcerned. Oh ! woeful state. Won- 
drous patience ! that bears with such a worm. 

Let me now address myself to do somewhat, if possible, 



j£t. 23. i FAINT, YET PURSUING.' 19 

toward repairing the injury I have sustained ; and to rouse 
my soul to greater warmth and concern for its state, and to 
more zeal toward God. 

Jesus hath been exhibited before me as a ' Lamb slain 
from the foundation of the world/ He submitted to become 
a sacrifice for the guilt which the first man entailed on his 
degenerate offspring. The word was gone forth — 'In the 
day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die/ Alas ! man 
hath lost his first estate. He hath become obnoxious to the 
justice of an offended Deity. The law required perfect obedi- 
ence ; but man's nature is become corrupt, he is utterly unable 
to fulfil the terms of the first covenant. The noble faculties 
of man's soul are defamed, his will is become refractory, his 
understanding darkened, and his affections all run in a wrong 
channel. What then can he do ? He cannot restore himself 
to his original purity ; he cannot expiate for his own crime ; 
he is not able to do what is required for the future : for 
the law is still in full force. Devils cannot restore him; they 
are themselves under the inexorable vengeance and irrevoca- 
ble sentence of Almighty justice. They cannot be admitted 
to prefer a petition for themselves, much less for others, 
and, if they could, would not ; for they hate the Almighty 
with a perfect hatred ; they hate the work of his hands ; yea, 
by their instrumentality man hath fallen. Angels ! can they 
recover man's innocence ? Ah ! no. Man, originally ' made 
a little lower than the angels/ has fallen abundantly lower 
than them. Could those glorious beings manifest themselves, 
and should man implore their intercession, which, perhaps, 
they would gladly undertake, yet no intercession on their part 
would avail, ' for the wages of sin is death/ and angels can- 
not die ! But were it possible, and did all the host of heaven 
voluntarily submit themselves to extinction on man's behalf, 
they would be totally incompetent to satisfy the justice of an 
offended God. Mark then, O my soul, his wondrous clem- 

c 2 



20 self-exAmination. 1716. 

ency ! * In this was manifested the love of God towards us, 
because that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, 
that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we 
loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the 
propitiation for our sins/* Behold the triumph of mercy 
over justice; of free grace he did it ' because he delighteth 



in mercy!" 



SELF-EXAMINATION. 



Friday, January 6, 1716. In retirement this evening, 
reading in Mr. Steel's discourse On Uprightness, I met with 
six tests to be applied in self-examination and trial, to which 
he premises, that " If you can lay sound claim to any one of 
" them (though you should labour to find them all), you 
" may rest with comfort in the safety of your condition, 
" though at present you may not discern the rest. The up- 
" right man approves himself to God ; — he chiefly loves 
" God ; — willingly obeys God ; — can judiciously appeal to 
" God, i Lord, thou knowest all things ; thou knowest 
" ' that 1 love thee ;' — he lives not in presumptuous sins : 
" —and keeps himself from his ' own iniquity." " Before 
I entered on the signs, I bent my knees to the Most High, 
and I may almost assuredly say, that I prayed sincerely that 
he would please to afford his spiritual assistance, without 
which nothing can be done well, that I may be able to dis- 
cern my case. On the whole, I find great reason, humbly 
and tremblingly, to hope that I do love God ; — do give him 
the most hearty of my thoughts ; — and somewhat of appeal- 
ing to him, I apprehend in my case, because I submitted 
myself very willingly to trial; — I am desirous as I have not 
allowed, so still not to allow of often repeated sins, which 
come nearest to presumptuous sins of any I am aware that 
I have lately committed; and I trust I have a radical hatred 
of presumptuous and all other sins, ^especially of that of 
my ' own iniquity/ my darling sin at my conversion; — and 



Mt. 24. COMMENCEMENT OF HIS COURTSHIP. 21 

these considerations lead me to the comfortable hope that 
my conversion is genuine. 

PEACE SPOKEN TO HIS SOUL. 

Tuesday, January 24, 1716. Not only in this, but for 
several days, I have been ready to take the comfort of my 
covenant interest being secured with the great and good Fa- 
ther of heaven and earth, l my Lord and my God.' The be- 
ginning of which, arose from evidences after self-examina- 
tion on January 6, which have been confirmed to me since, 
by my holy joy. The Lord, of his mercy, grant that my 
comfort do not prove ungrounded, and that devils do not 
overthrow me by presumption. This night in prayer, I 
humbly hope, peace was spoken to my soul. I was abun- 
dantly enlarged in praising God, and my affections mightily 
drawn out in love to him. My spiritual comfort was the 
more increased by reading in Dr. Preston concerning Effec- 
tual Faith, p. 78, 79? &c. which exactly applied to my 
case, especially after being greatly cast down for sin. ' I 
acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I 
not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the 
Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin/ — ' Be not 
high-minded, but fear.' — ' It is not expedient for me doubt- 
less to glory/ — i Wherefore let him that thinketh he stand- 
eth, take heed lest he fall/ — ' I will hear what God the 
Lord will speak : for he will speak peace unto his people, 
and to his saints, but let them not turn again to folly/ 

COMMENCEMENT OF HIS COURTSHIP. 

Tuesday, January 31, 1716. I have to remark, that 
yesterday week I came to a resolution to pay my addresses 
to Phebe Pearsall ; after having discoursed with my mother 
on it, and found that she had long been thinking of her 
as suitable for me. Accordingly, with the approbation of 

c 3 



22 CONFESSION OF SINS. 1716. 

friends on both sides, our first meeting took place this even- 
ing, having previously addressed myself to God by prayer. 
Our first discourse turned on spiritual affairs ; beginning 
where God would have us begin. She told me that she did 
not remember the time when she had reason to hope she 
was first impressed with a sense of religion, but as long as 
she could remember she had pleasure in, and love to the 
ways of God. The greatest helps she had in those ways 
were from her sister Hannah.* A few days back, I advised 
with Mr. Clymer on this subject, an expression of whose I 
wish to record ; he said, that " Were he to advise any thing 
with respect to my altering of my condition, it would be 
that I should first of all make sure my covenant interest 
in Christ ; he hoped I had done so, for if it be not done 
before marriage, my situation would be the more danger- 
ous." 

CONFESSION OF SINS. 

Saturday, November 3, 1716. Having lived a long time 
in a course of sin, neglect of prayer, and all other spiritual 
duties, I think it proper and reasonable, in words, to hum- 
ble my soul before I approach to the holy table of the 

* Afterward Mrs. Housman, who died Oct. 31, 1735, and whose 
Diary was published in 1743, by her brother, the Rev. It. Pearsall, 
but who had previously recommended that undertaking to Mr. Wil- 
liams, in a letter from Warminster, dated Sept. 22, 1736. — " Dear 
" brother, — So many have been recommending to me the publication 
" of the papers relating to the dying temper and expressions of iny sis- 
" ter Housman, that I cannot avoid mentioning the affair to you again. 
" Mrs. Rowe seems peculiarly desirous of it, I am still of opinion, 
" that it is pity but such a shining light should be set in a candlestick, 
" that many may see it, and be themselves enlightened and quickened, 
* and encouraged in their way heaven- ward. Pray, if you think pro- 
lt per, talk to brother Housman about it, and propose it to good Mr. 
u Bradshaw. If he cannot be persuaded, then I can think of no one's 
" undertaking it but yourself, if your business will give leave." 



JEt.Q4. CONFESSION OF SINS. 23 

Lord ; if I dare approach to it ; and to enumerate my 
transgressions, particularly sins I have been guilty of since 
I came to years of some understanding. Good Lord ! 
brighten my memory, and soften my conscience, the better 
to enable me for this work. 

When I went to the free-school, I often told and stood 
by many impudent lies, though I knew the doom attending 
them; being highly provoking to the great God. Even 
while I was at that school, I first began with the sin of my 
' own iniquity/ Since I was awakened, I told a known lie, 
and on the very next day, after having humbled myself for 
the offence, I renewed the lie: see Nov. 14, 1710. To 
these, I might add innumerable sins, such as frequent 
breaches of faith ; frequent returning to sin after contrition 
made for it, and pardon asked ; frequent neglect of prayer ; 
neglect of reading ; and almost constant neglect of examina- 
tion, and particularly of meditation : frequently contemplat- 
ing revenge, covetousness, and lying : withholding of that 
which belongs to others, though without a design to deprive 
them of their own, ultimately : corrupt and unchaste dis- 
course : waste of precious time to a prodigious degree : neg- 
lect of family-prayer, when it has lain at my door : giving 
way to anger, indolence, and the lavishing of my money : 
worldly-mindedness, pride, voluptuousness, and the taking 
of too much liberty in sports : hypocritical dealing with the 
Most High ; drawing near to him with my eyes diiected to- 
wards heaven, but with a heart fit for hell ; an humble knee, 
but a haughty spirit ; a serious posture, but a frivolous soul. 
O Lord God, ' Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all 
mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and 
renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy 
of thy salvation ; and uphold me with thy free Spirit: then 
will I teach transgressors thy ways ; and sinners shall be 

converted unto thee^ 

c 4 



24 SPECIAL SELF-EXAMINATION. 1717- 

COVENANT TRANSACTIONS. 

Lords-day, December 16, 1716. I have lately renewed 
my covenant with the Lord. I hope that in sincerity I re- 
solved against all manner of sin ; but, alas ! I find my heart 
not thoroughly as it ought to be. I was guilty on Friday 
last, of rash and sinful anger, even to a rage next to mad- 
ness, for a small offence. The good Lord, of his free 
mercy and grace, assist and enable me wherein I did fool- 
ishly, to do so no more, and to withstand all assaults that 
may tempt me to a violation of the law of God. Let me 
often read in T. Sharp, On Divine Comforts, concerning 
Sin and its dreadful nature. May I be stirred up to be con- 
stant in self-examination every night, that I may not conti- 
nue to live without regard, or, as it were, at all adventures : 
but may I have an ardent desire to grow in grace, to ' lay 
aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset 
me;' giving all i diligence to make my calling and election 
sure.' 

SPECIAL SELF-EXAMINATION. 

Kpicris 1[av) TVs Y.a\tx<i<x.<7Vj]s t« ttnvu.a.'c©* I/as. * 

Saturday, February % 1717. It is now more than six 
years since a work of grace, I humbly hope, was begun in my 
soul. At a general view, however, it is easy to discover 
that I have made very little, if any, progress in a divine life ; 
but have rather suffered a declination for some years past : 
I may, then, justly think it high time to inquire into the 
cause of this thing. ' Now, therefore, thus saith the Lord 
of hosts — Consider your ways.' 

Have not I great cause for consideration, and that before 
it be too late ; before I have plunged myself into those dis- 
consolate circumstances from which I may never extricate 
myself. Very dangerous snares are often in my way, and 

* My judgment of the constitution of my own spirit. 



JEt.Z5. SPECIAL SELF-EXAMINATION. 25 

my sinful, corrupt, nature is sometimes prompting me to fall 
into them. I strongly feel the influence of one particular 
temptation ; which, some years ago, I should have thought 
would have been as nothing to me ; but now, from this 
single observation, I easily infer that watchfulness is relaxed; 
my conscience less tender ; my hatred of sin less strong ; 
and, consequently, my love to God not so ardent as for- 
merly. Rouse then, O my soul, inquire seriously and im- 
partially into thy state and case ! Assist me, O thou Maker 
of my soul, and preserver of its being! Help me in the 
amending and correcting of it, that it may be made more 
useful here, and more fitted for thy glory hereafter ! I am 
conscious to myself that I am a great bungler at the work of 
self-examination ; but something must be done, and if God 
assist, it will not be the poorness of the method that shall 
hinder the success of my endeavours. 

I find myself strangely unaffected and unengaged when I 
join with my father in family-prayer. My mind is almost 
perpetually roving during that solemn service. I find my 
conversation exceedingly vain ; and I scarcely entertain a 
thought of God, of Christ, heaven or hell, death or judg- 
ment, in a whole day. I observe in myself a readiness of 
thought to frame a lie, on any occasion that may serve to 
defend my reputation : I do not remember that I have wit- 
tingly been overtaken in this way ; but I find I have been 
very near to it, several times. Alas ! I must observe, that 
I am easily prevented praying to God in secret; too often, 
by not rising early ; and too often, by going to visit in an 
evening, when, one would think, there was the more need to 
pray for grace to withstand the allurements of society. And, 
lastly, I am in doubt whether I truly love God, or not. 

I will now consider the reasons of my fear and the 
grounds of my hope : first, then, I have not that concern on 
my spirit as I should have when I hear the sacred name of 



26 SPECIAL SELF-EXAMINATION. 1717* 

God profaned; but so far from it, that I have taken his 
holy name in vain myself ! I have not that sympathy in the 
sufferings of the people of God as becomes one who truly 
loves the Lord : I have not that earnest desire after ordi- 
nances, or delight in them, as becomes a child of God ; 
but v on the contrary, often prefer my worldly employment, 
to an opportunity of waiting on my heavenly Father : I am 
not so fearful of offending him, nor so touched with a sense 
of my ingratitude when I have sinned, as to engage to do so 
no more ; but pretend to repent, and afterward, on a slight 
temptation, return to the very same sins of which I so re- 
pented : I am not zealous for the honour and glory of God 
as I ought to be, otherwise I should be contriving how to 
promote his honour, and recommend his service to those 
that are without, more ardently. But, on the other hand, I 
have grounds of hope, which are such as these : I love good 
people better than any others ; in this I am as clear, 
methinks, as in any thing ; and the more, too, of piety I 
apprehend in any one, I am sure that the more I love that 
person : neither do I know any other cause of my loving 
my father more than my mother,* than the apprehension I 



* Mr. Williams has not recorded any memorial of his mother similar 
to that of his father, May 2, 1719, though sufficient remarks have 
passed under the Editor's eye, to enable him to testify of Mr. W's. 
dutiful regard to her, instances of which occur, January 31, 1716, and 
July 4, 1717 ; but the Editor is happy in being able to make up such 
deficiency, in a degree, by presenting the reader with two letters to 
Mr. W's. sister, Mrs. Richards of London, on the event of their 
mothers death : the first, from the reverend gentleman, who was the 
occasion of Mr. W's. consolatory letter, dated December 14, 1751; 
and the last, from the sister mentioned in page 13. 

To Mrs. Richards. 

Bromsgrove, October 10, 1746. 
Madam, 

Considering my dilatcriness in writing, I question 

not, this will come to you somewhat unexpectedly ; but it is not 



JEt. 25. SPECIAL SELF-EXAMINATION. 2? 

have of his greater excellency in grace : and methinks I have 
some love to the service of God when seriously engaged 

unusual, in this world, to meet with events little looked for. And 
sometimes, those things which in a sense we may be said to look for, 
do not fall out in the manner we expected them : to convince us, that 
the Supreme Moderator, as he formed all his designs without us, so he 
executes them without consulting us ; which, when adverted to in a 
proper manner, may teach these useful, and at all times necessary, 
lessons, — to wait the pleasure of that God who disposes all things in a 
sovereign manner; and not to be surprised either into indecencies, or 
undutifulness, when he meets us with his dispensations, in an unex- 
pected way. 

I doubt not, but you have from time to time, for years past, been 
expecting to hear of the removal of your dear, though aged parent; 
as have all her friends about her. Yet, I cannot say that the message 
was looked for when your nephew Watson arrived yesterday to ac- 
quaint us, that she had taken her farewell of a vain world. Happy 
change ! that veils, for ever veils the eyes from sense and sin, and fills 
the soul with rapturous views of uncreated light, and endless day ! 
Happy surprise to her, in a moment, to exchange worlds so vastly dif- 
ferent ! Her Master called her home full of years, and when nature 
was spent, and worn as it were to a hair. She slipped away without any 
visible signs of pain ; the earthly tabernacle being quite prepared to 
give up its immortal tenant. 

On such news, I know that nature will be ready to shew its tender 
and affectionate emotions; and nature calls for indulgence, but I need 
not prescribe to you the lengths or limits ; grace, distinguishing grace, 
has taught you this beforehand. There are many considerations to 
alleviate the weight of your concern : your dear mother enjoyed as 
many years in the world as were useful ; and many more than the 
most of her fellow-creatures. Old age is seldom comfortable; yea, is 
rather a burthen to those that attain to it ; and few there are that can say 
they have ' pleasure in' such years : this is a weaning circumstance, 
even to the most tender and affectionate children ; and, I observe, 
oftentimes disposes the most dutiful and loving relations to part with 
them more easily. This consideration you are called to own with 
thankfulness to a kind God, who has spared a good and valuable 
mother, so long as she was capable of being of real service to you, or to 
herself. How many have been deprived of both their parents, and 



28 SPECIAL SELF-EXAMINATION. 1717- 

therein; and do sometimes, taste a higher relish of the 
ways of religion, than* of my secular enjoyments at any 



been thereby exposed to many outward inconveniences, before they 
could be helpful to themselves, which has not been your hard fate, for 
when God took from you your worthy father, yet he continued your 
kind, indulgent, and careful mother, to be a head over you, and a com- 
fort unto you. Also, you have this to consider, that your dear mother, 
was ripe for the change; ripe, not only in years, but ripe, I question 
not, in grace. She stayed till she was fit for glory; and, indeed, it is 
not fit that any of us should stay here any longer. What business 
have any of us in a sinful, vexing, ensnaring world, when God has 
trained us up and fully fitted us for a better? It were improper, nay, 
unkind, to wish it otherways. I hope God has taught you, and your 
sister* with you, to part not only with your aged mother, but every 
other thing for Christ. I hope you now can say — ' When father and 
mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.' Yea, I believe he has 
done that already. You have him as your head, your protector, your 
provider, and your comforter; and, what can you want? For, he is 
the Fulness that filleth all in all; and having him you have all ! ' All 
things are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.' 

It now remains for you to think of following your parents. You 
must go to them, they cannot come to you. Agreeably, therefore, to 
the apostle's exhortation, l Be ye followers of them who by faith and 
patience are now inheriting the promises.' I pray that God may so 
sanctify this dispensation, as that it may quicken you unto 'all diligence;' 
that your 'lamps' may be trimmed; that you may have ' oil' in your 
vessels, waiting in readiness for the coming of the Bridegroom, that 
you may enter in to the marriage. Accept, Madam, the sympathizing 

regards of your friend and servant, 

John Freeland. 

To the Same. 

Bromsgrove, November 3, 1746. 
My Dear Sister, 

You have by this time, had more accounts 

than one, concerning the death of our dear mother, who slipped 

* Phebe; the same who was afterward married to a Mr. Jukes, of Birming- 
ham ; but of whom the Editor has gained no farther information. 



JEt. 25. SPECIAL SELF-EXAMINATION. 29 

time; and do also hope, that I can from experience say — f A 
day in thy courts is better than a thousand/ I have sometimes, 
though I must say very seldom, been greatly delighted in 
praising God, and that with my whole heart; sometimes on 
sacramental occasions, but especially in private evening ex- 
ercises at home. Methinks, when in a serene, dispassionate 
frame, I do sincerely prefer a mean estate in the world, with 

silently from earthly rejoicings* into that world, where, to share in 
more sublime joys, is the constant employment of the blessed inhabit- 
ants. Here, she has been very little capable, either of joy or sorrow, 
for a considerable time : she had, in a great measure, lost the capa- 
bility of being excited by those passions. I cannot but esteem it a 
merciful dispensation, both to her and her children, that her removal 
from earth to heaven was not preceded by those painful circum- 
stances, which might reasonably have been expected from one of her 
years ; for old age is a time of many peculiar afflictions, altogether un- 
known to the young. When I was at Kidderminster lately, she was 
full of complaint — " What a burthen life was now to her, who had lost 
" almost all her faculties ;" or to that effect. She said — " The young 
" little think what old age is." I was much affected with what she 
said ; but hoped she would have been more communicative than she 
was. I was well pleased with an account of my dear child'sf, of what 
he had been witness to : namely, her constancy in performing her 
secret duty ; he had heard her more than a hundred times, pouring out 
her soul at ' the throne of grace;' and, both by her example and ex- 
hortations, had often sent him on his knees. Some little time before 
she died, he asked her — What frame she was now in ? She answered — 
" Through free grace, I hope a- saving change was wrought in me in 
"early life; if it were not, it must remain undone, for I can do 
" nothing now ; but do you take my advice, and improve a time of 
"youth!" Oh! thai we could all take that advice, and employ the 
little remains of life in seeking and securing our interest in the favour 
of God, in and through Christ; which will be the best cordial to sup- 
port us under the peculiar evils we are liable to, if we should live to 

old age. 

Your affectionate Sister, 

H. Watson. 

* October 9, was a Thanksgiving-day. 
t Mr. John Watson. 



30 PIOUS RESOLUTIONS. 1717. 

a virtuous, pious wife, who would excite and encourage me 
in the ways of God, and with whom I may live the better in 
his fear ; than a plentiful estate with one who is destitute of 
God's grace, though otherwise very agreeable as to temper, 
and other such qualities ; and, do hope and believe, that the 
principal motive with me for fixing my resolution in the 
choice I have made for my intended wife, should God see 
fit to approve, was the hope that she is a child of his. I 
would, lastly, state, as a ground of holy confidence, that I 
have sometimes enjoyed communications of the love of God 
and Christ to my soul ; and have had some sensible feelings 
of the outgoing of my soul to him ; yea, abundant flowing 
love; so that, with deep humility and holy joy, I could 
almost say — ' I am my beloved's, and his desire is towards 
me/ 

PIOUS RESOLUTIONS. 

Lord's-day, March 3, 1717. I observe this in myself, 
that I am very prone, if I can find any room for it, to alle- 
viate my sins in my own mind, with respect to some cir- 
cumstances that may attend them ; which I judge to be a 
symptom of hypocrisy. Being very sensible that my luke- 
warmness in religion, and frequent compliance with divers 
temptations, are owing to my neglect of duty ; and being 
also sensible, that I thereby offend God and wrong my own 
soul, I do resolve, by the grace of God, that I will, as often 
as may be, read at least two chapters in my Bible, in some 
retired place ; and that, by the same grace assisting, I will not 
enter on my daily employment before I have bent my knees 
in secret prayer ; and farther, that whatever the hurries of 
the day may be, I will endeavour, at the close of it, to con- 
secrate half an hour for stated meditation and examination. 
Oh ! what a monster of rebellion and ingratitude am I, so 
often atheistically to act, as if I believed not that the pre- 
sence of God is over me, observing and writing down all 
my wretched actions in the ' book of his ' remembrance/ 



£t. 25. SPIRITUAL WATCHFULNESS. 31 

Yea, so estranged from duty am I, that I did not set myself 
at all, becomingly, to prepare for the Lord's supper till this 
morning. 'Tis true, I had thoughts of setting myself about 
humiliation work on the over night, but did not spend any 
time in that necessary employment. Oh ! degenerate, hard- 
ened creature ! could I at one time have thought that I 
should now have dared to have approached the Lord's table 
in so unprepared a manner ! This morning, indeed, directly 
after I rose, retiring into a back room, 1 walked about for 
a time, musing, and at last fell down on my luiees to 
pray ; and do humbly hope the Spirit of God did assist me, 
and humble my heart for sin. I could not begin to pray 
without an effusion of tears ; I wish they were not forced ; 
and do hope, I was made to loath my sins and myself for 
them; but yet I have great reason to fear my hypocrisy. 
However, I have reason also to hope I have, in some mea- 
sure, been l in the Spirit' on this day ; and that, the Lord 
was pleased to display his grace in breaking my heart for 
sin, both while hearing his word, and partaking of his sup- 
per. I hope I seriously devoted myself to him, and did un- 
feignedly repent that I have so often sinned against him : 
and do also hope, that the effects of this my humiliation will 
appear in my after life and conversation. O Lord God, 
assist me, I humbly pray thee, for Christ's sake. ' When 
thou saidst — Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee — Thy 
face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; 
put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; 
leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.' 

SPIRITUAL WATCHFULNESS. 

Lord's-day, March 10, 1717. I have experienced no- 
thing to day but a deceitful heart, desirous of liberty, ready 
to be drawn aside and enslaved by sin ! Alas ! my words 
have not been well guarded of late, and so with my 
thoughts, though they have both been under greater restraint 



32 COMPUNCTIONS OF CONSCIENCE. 1717. 

for a time. I have experienced, however, that it is good to 
begin the day with God ; and to season the heart with spi- 
ritual things, as by reading, meditation, and prayer ; which 
last, arms me for the duties of my secular calling, and leaves 
a pleasant tang on my spirit through the day. I observe 
too great an inclination in myself to receive the creature com- 
forts without an eye to the Giver of them ; and too often, 
when I take my meals alone, am apt to do it without prayer 
or praise; a melancholy symptom of a depraved soul. Alas! 
my carelessness, to perform my vows. I do resolve now, 
by the grace of God, to double my diligence, in the duties 
prescribed March 3. 

This day, for the first time, I repeated*' a sermon from 
my notes of one by Mr. Whittonf. I enlarged upon it 
occasionally, and did it very readily. The good Lord help 
me to engage in his service in a better manner than I have 
yet done. 

COMPUNCTIONS OF CONSCIENCE. 

Lord's-day, April 1, 1717. Let me inquire- — Whether 
or not, I know Jesus Christ as Lord, and as my Lord? 
Do I indeed know the evil of sin, its dreadful nature, and its 
consequences ? Is not my heart hardened to a strange de- 
gree ; particularly since I so recently as March 3, lamented 
that I had made but slender preparations for the Lord's 
table ; and had then, under the secret impulse of the Spirit 
of God, warm checks of conscience ; yet, to let the iron 
cool again without following up the blow so lately struck 
by those resolves, and on this next recurring opportunity, 
to omit the same duty ! Is there so much need, even when 
a Christian is in some good measure unblemished in his 
conversation, to set aside time to work up his soul into a 

* Mr. Spilsbury being ill, and no regular supply at hand, 
f The Rev. Richard Whitton, A M. 40 years pastor of the congrega- 
tion at West-Bromwich ; and who died December 28, 1765, aged 82, 
He was formerly assistant to Mr. Spilsbury, at Kidderminster. 



JEt. 25. his father's affairs disclosed. 33 

meetness for approaching to the table of his Lord, and 
could I content myself to defer the duty to but a few hours 
previously ! Have I not reason to conclude, that I have 
sinned the more because ' grace' hath ' abounded/ and be- 
cause the Lord was pleased to shed abroad some influences 
of his grace upon me ? Surely, I do not suitably or feel- 
ingly know the evil that is in sin ! Do I indeed obey the 
Lord ? Hath not quite the contrary appeared in my vain 
conversation and endeavours to stifle the motions and 
checks of conscience ? Have I my eye fixed on Jesus Christ 
much ? Is it fixed on him at all ? Is he in all, or even any 
of my thoughts ? Oh ! wretched estrangedness of my soul 
from its most desirable object, its only help and hope. 

his father's temporal affairs disclosed. 

Thursday j July 4, 1717- This day my father sent for 
me to come to him in his chamber. There, with a deal of 
difficulty, he informed me of the state of his worldly affairs ; 
and that, when every thing he had, or was concerned in, 
was estimated, he should possess but a trifling remainder. 
This was a very melancholy account to me, who had, for a 
long time, entertained different expectations ; had had some 
fair offers made to me ; and, particularly, had the entire affec- 
tions of one who had mine equally : all which, seemed now 
quite blasted, and my glowing hopes instantly dissipated. I 
wish nothing may ever cause me to be in a worse frame ! 
It immediately produced soul-humbling, self-condemning 
thoughts, and increased my tenderness for my dear parents ; 
to whom I expressed myself in these, or such like words, 
accompanied with tears — " I did not expect that matters 
" were so ; I confess I am surprised ; but, seeing how 
" things are, our best way, I thiiuc, is to be submissive to 
" the will of God, humbly to acquiesce in his disposal, and 
" endeavour to bring our minds to our condition, For nay 

D 



S4 HIS GROWTH IN PIETY. 1717. 

" part, I am, through mercy, able to do somewhat more 
" than maintain myself, and do assure you, that I* will en- 
" deavour to my utmost to support you, if need be, even to 
" bread and water : this is my present resolution." To 
which my father answered, with a flow of tears — " I thank 
i{ you, son, very kindly." I then, addressing both my pa- 
rents, added thus — " You have been good to me all my 
" days ; and now, I will endeavour gratefully to demon - 
" strate the apprehensions I have thereof." On retiring, I 
went immediately to prostrate myself before the Lord. I 
wept much, and humbled myself, as it were, to the dust, 
acknowledging the righteousness of God in all his proceed- 
ings ; and lamenting my own particular sins. Now, how 
to manage myself, as to worldly affairs, I know not ; but 
pray that God will be pleased to direct and guide me. 

HIS GROWTH IN PIETY. 

Lord^-day, August 4 , 1717. To this day I have had 
my ups and downs in religion. Sometimes, lively workings 
of grace, holy fear and watchfulness, fervent love, warm de- 
sires ; and, sometimes, a comfortable hope. At other times, 
I have given way to levity and vanity of mind, which brought 
on remissness in duty, and even a neglect of it, till recovered 
by deep repentance. My father having communicated to 
me the frowns of Providence on his temporal affairs, this 
discovery has continued to produce a very humble, resigned 
frame, to the divine dispensations, and in some measure pre- 
pared me for divine comforts, under the sermons # I have 
heard to-day, being our sacrament day. Christ's love to 
souls, was the subject of discourse. Never, did I experi- 
ence such a flame of divine love as was kindled in me. 
The word came to me with life and power. The Lord hath 

* By the Rev. Thompson, of Bromsgrove ; Mr. 3J>ilsbury be- 

i"mj very ill. 



JEt. 25. HOLY JOY, AND THE GROUNDS OF IT. 36 

shone in upon my soul with the enlighteniog and enlivening 
rays of his Holy Spirit, drawing out faith and love into 
lively exercise, exciting admiration and adoration of his 
wonderful and stupendous love ; and given me some well- 
grounded assurance of his special love to me, and that I am 
a child of God. — Far be it from me now to grow carnally 
secure, or to arrogate any thing to myself ; to his holy name 
be all the glory ! 

HOLY JOY, AND THE GROUNDS OF IT. 

Monday, August 5, 1717. Through free grace, I have 
this day been made again to experience, what it is to enjoy 
communion with, and communications of love from, a kind 
and gracious God. Oh ! the sweet rays of love, wherewith 
he was pleased to shine in and upon my soul, drawing out 
my heart to him in praise for the more than hope that I am 
one of the election of his grace. The good Lord carry on 
that good work he hath begun in my soul, that I may be- 
come more holy ; more and more assimilated to my blessed 
Saviour. I have a little compared myself with myself; and, 
particularly, have inquired into the present state of my soul; 
and into the manner of the working of the Holy Spirit up- 
on it, from time to time ; and do now humbly conclude, 
that I am in Christ Jesus a living branch of the true vine. 
Though I have many infirmities and weaknesses, and am 
guilty every day of many omissions and commissions, yet, I 
do humbly hope, that I am thriving in my spiritual state. 
My will is more and more bowed in resignation to the 
divine Will ; and I do not remember any repining, murmur- 
ing, or discontent arising, since my father related his cir- 
cumstances, but an humble acquiescence in what God has 
appointed ; all which, I sincerely ascribe to the great good- 
ness of God to me ; and not in, the least to myself. My 
desires to please and glorify God are more enlarged; and 
though I do not serve him as I ought, it is my desire to do 

D 2 



36 GKACE AND NATURE CONTENDING. 1717-8* 

it in a perfect manner. ♦The good Lord engage me to a 
universal obedience of his holy will. 

GRACE AND NATURE CONTENDING. 

L,ord y s-day, Jugust 18, 17 17* On a review of my state, 
I find reason to hope that the spiritual life in my soul, which 
was drooping, begins again to revive ; blessed be the God 
of all grace and mercy ! I have heard many a time, with 
' the hearing of the ear/ that the ways of wisdom ' are ways 
of pleasantness/ and that ' the ways of transgressors are 
hard :' the latter, I have often thoroughly experienced, but 
the former seldom so sensibly as of late. It is clear to me 
that I am spiritually alive, from my spiritual growth. Me- 
ditations, which were wont to be burthensome, have now 
lost their difficulty. The ways and service of God yield 
me such sweet x content and delight, that I need not go 
abroad for joy, unless it be to my dear bosom friends, with 
whom my joys are enlarged ; and that too, I hope, without 
turning them into carnal joys. Still, I find I have a wretched, 
deceitful, corrupt heart; grace in me is stirring, yet cor- 
ruption is stirring too. O my soul, ' watch therefore/ and 
again I say i watch/ against outgoings and strayings after 
vanity and folly : keep close to God in a dependence on 
him, for while thou dost this, thou wilt ' not be moved.' 
I live as in an enemy's country, where I must dispute every 
inch of ground in my way to heaven. Blessed be God, I 
have not positively or sinfully failed in my late resolutions ; 
though many times I have left much of the prescribed duties 
to be done late in the day, and therefore it was done 
lazily. And now, I would not extenuate my short coming, 
before a just and righteous God, who is also very merciful 
and gracious : on Tuesday morning I did neglect stated se- 
cret prayer ; it is true, I had retired for that purpose, but 
was called away : also meditation, though not omitted, hath 
not been performed with that due concern as should be ; it 



Mt. 26. HIS SPIRITUAL PROGRESS. 37 

hath been deferred to the close of the day, and then performed 
sleepily : but my vow hath obtained its chief end, that of 
keeping my mind intent on God and duty. I can truly say 
I experience great advantages from the course therein laid 
down ; and do, therefore, unfeignedly again resolve, by the 
grace of God, to continue to perform the before-mentioned 
duties. Oh ! that I may walk humbly, and look on myself, 
when fullest of divine communications, but as a drinking- 
glass without a foot, and which consequently cannot stand 
of itself, nor retain what may be put in it. Let me ever 
keep in mind the exhortation — ' Be sober, be vigilant ; be- 
cause your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh 
about seeking whom he may devour/ 

I was very free with my cousin Henry Crane* to-day, 
telling him — How to attain peace and comfort of mind by 
close walking with God, and taking the course which I 
have taken lately. 

November 19, 1717- This was a day of humiliation. I 
purposed aforetime, to spend such days in a solemn manner, 
both in public and private : but on this, for the first time, I 
spent all the morning in secret prayer, self-examination, 
meditation, and self-dedication. Afterward, I attended the 
whole public service, which lasted six hours, and found my- 
self more lively than common in every part of it. I dare 
not resolve, but, oh ! that I may always have opportunity 
and a heart, for the like, or better preparations on the like 
occasions. 

HIS SPIRITUAL PROGRESS. 

Wednesday, January 1, 1718. I have enjoyed solemn 
and sweet intercourse with the King of kings, and Lord of 
lords, several times lately. I do humbly hope, that on the 

* Of this exemplary character the Editor regrets that he can com* 
municate no farther information than that he was a confidential friend 
of Mr. W. and that he died December 6, 1779, aged 85. 

D 3 



38 REMISSNESS DEPLORED. 1720. 

whole, I have made conyderable progress in grace this last 
year : but I think it hath been chiefly since July 4. The 
Lord hath enabled me since that time to walk in a more 
becoming manner than generally I have done through my 
whole life ; and the breathings of my soul have been and 
are more frequent and lively after God and Christ. 

REMISSNESS DEPLORED. 

Lord's-day, June 5, 1720. Oh! sad, shameful review. I 
have now lived in the wilful, allowed neglect of self-examina- 
tion, and no less of meditation, for about seventeen months; 
in which mispent time two remarkable providences have 
taken place : the one, my father's death, May 2, 1719; and 
the other, my own marriage, August 24, in the same yean 
At what a wretched rate have I lived ! Secret prayer hath 
been omitted the greatest part of this long period, and in 
the remainder but very seldom performed. Many strivings 
and workings of conscience I have had, with many desires 
to do and be better. Sometimes I have feared lest all that 
I have at any time taken to be the operation of the Spirit of 
God in me, hath been totally ineffectual ; and really, I have 
too great reason still to fear. However, though my sins are 
so great, it may not yet be too late to hope. Surely, they 
are not beyond the reach of the pardoning blood and merit 
of the Lord Jesus Christ ! A long-suffering and merciful 
God can grant me the aid of his Blessed Spirit, to root out 
the strong habits of sin that are within me, and turn my 
soul to the obedience of the just. O my soul, flee to the 
rock of refuge, ' to the rock which is higher than thyself.' 
Thou art greatly impoverished, which I apprehend to be 
very much owing to having lived in the constant neglect of 
secret duties. Now, therefore, as I would do and be better, 
1 would oblige myself ihereto by an additional obligation to 
those .by which I am already bound; and I do consequently 
oblige myself, by all the sacred ties and bonds of duty, to he 



Mt. 28. HIS DREAD OF HYPOCRISY. SQ 

constant every morning in reviewing the last day's walk and 
Malversation, unless 1 shall have found time on the preceding 
evening ; and also, to pray secretly to my God both morn- 
ing and evening ; and at convenient seasons to take time to 
employ myself in stated meditation. < Have mercy upon 
me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness ; according 
unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my 
transgressions/ 

HIS DREAD OF HYPOCRISY. 

Monday, August 8, 1720. What a sad discovery have I 
made of the hypocrisy of my heart ! What purposes did I 
form in June last ! but, alas ! I have no mind to go on with 
the duties to which I resolved. How soon did 1 shake off 
the affecting sense of my resolutions ! How soon did they 
lose their force upon me ! 1 could well enough satisfy ray- 
self in the neglect of secret duty, while I kept up family- 
prayer and reading the scriptures. Oh ! dreadful hypocrisy. 
Oh ! deplorable state that I am in. Oh ! that I knew and 
sufficiently considered my danger of perishing for ever. I 
fear I never had the graces of God's Spirit in sincerity. I 
fear mine was only a superficial repentance and conversion ; 
all my religion but a profession, and all my joys in God and 
Christ but delusive elevations. Woe is me ! Satan leads me 
about, and makes me his easy prey, and yet I am not affected 
therewith. My wretched lusts, which used to lord it over 
me, are yet unsubdued. Above all this, I find the world 
hath fast rooting in my soul, and what will become of me 
I know not. 1 fear, after all my profession, the doom of 
the unprofitable servant will be mine — ' Bind him hand and 
foot, — and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weep- 
ing and gnashing of teeth.' 

Yesterday I joined with those who renewed their covenant* 
at the Lord's table. Methought I could have done it sin- 

d 4 



40 HIS HOPE OF SINCERITY. 1721.. 

cerely ; but, oh ! how unaffected was my soul in every part 
of the duty : neither humbled for sin, nor praising God %* 
his mercy and love in Christ Jesus, nor exercising faith, 
or any other grace ! I couid do nothing. Oh ! wretched, 
deplorable state. ' Who can dwell with devouring fire ? 
Who can dwell with everlasting burnings? ' 

HIS HOPE OF SINCERITY. 

Lord's-day, April 23, 1721. Blessed be God, who hath 
of late wrought in me a greater concern for my eternal wel- 
fare, than for a considerable time before. I hope the Lord 
hath been at work on my soul this day. I have long enter- 
tained jealousies of myself, lest hypocrisy should reign in my 
heart. Reading to-day, in Fenner's Treatise of the Affec- 
tions, the Lord was graciously pleased to rouse me, in ex- 
amining the state of my soul by the pulse of my affections, 
and to fill me with jealousy lest I be yet a hypocrite, lest all 
my religious profession be mere shew, or shadow, without 
the substance. The fearful apprehension thereof greatly 
impressed my mind, and made me very pensive. I went up 
into my chamber to ruminate on the state of my soul, 
where, meeting with my wife, she would stay with me. I 
then told her my fears. She endeavoured to comfort me, 
when, alas ! I needed more to be excited and awakened. 
I went on charging myself, and expressing my fears, till the 
Lord was graciously pleased to warm my heart, and, I hope, 
in some measure to humble it. I thought I should be glad, 
if I might possibly conceive, on good grounds, but some 
small hopes of mercy at the hand of God. 

This evening the Lord graciously prepared a comforting 
word for me, as he had before graciously prepared me for it» 
Our minister, Mr. Spilsbury, expounded Isaiah lvii. 18, 19. 
' I have seen his ways,, and will heal him; I will lead him 
also, and restore comforts unto him, and to his mourners. 
I create the fruit of the lips \ peace, peace to him that is far 



JEt. 29- A MEMORIAL OF HIS FATHER'S DEATH. 41 

off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord, and I will heal 
fcjp- The Lord was graciously pleased to raise my affec- 
tions at the first hearing of the words, and to make the dis- 
course suitable to my case, thereby to strengthen my hopes 
that he will not be quite cast me off, nor be angry for 
ever. 

A MEMORIAL OF HIS FATHER'S DEATH. 

May 2, 1721. My dear and honoured father has been 
dead now two years. His memory is blessed, and will be for 
ever dear and precious to me. In him I have lost, not merely 
a loving father and friend, but a wise and able counsellor, a 
faithful guardian and monitor, and an excellent pattern of 
sobriety, watchfulness, self-denial and diligence, particu- 
larly in his heavenly-calling. He redeemed a great deal of 
time from his bed, rising commonly by four, and spending 
two or three hours, till the family rose, in reading, medita- 
tion, and prayer. He was a man of a hot, passionate tem- 
per, but through his great watchfulness, and close walking 
with God, it very seldom broke out; on the contrary, he 
was remarkable for his meekness, calmness, and affability. 
As he lived generally beloved by persons of all denomina- 
tions, so he died much lamented. I have great reason to 
bless God I had such a father. Oh ! that I might more 
and more copy his excellent virtues. His death greatly im- 
pressed my mind, and roused me out of that spirit of sloth 
and slumber into which my intended marriage had betrayed 
me. Upon serious reflections, 1 became more sensible of the 
great loss I had sustained; was deeply humbled for my sad 
neglects of secret religion; and, June 5, 1720, renewed my re- 
solutions for a more constant, conscientious discharge of the 
several duties of secret prayer, meditation, and self-examina- 
tion. For a while I acted agreeably to such resolves ; but, 
alas ! the world had got possession of my heart, so that I 
too soon returned to my former carelessness. 



42 A SPIRITUAL SIGHT OF CHRIST. 1721-3. 

OF HIS FIRST, A£JD OF HIS SECOND CHILD. 

Monday, September 11, 1721. God hath been pleased 
to load me with his bounties, and to deal out to me very 
comfortable circumstances, for which praised be his name. 
June 13, last year, a good providence bestowed on me a 
very desirable child, which we named John, but it was re- 
moved in the March following: now latterly, August 17, he 
hath given me another, which I design to call Phebe, and mer- 
ciful circumstances hath he dealt out to my wife and daugh- 
ter, so that the language of my heart should be — l Let the 
Lord be magnified/ I now esteem it my duty to give up my 
little one into the Lord's hand, trusting that he will enter its 
name into the book of his decrees. O my soul, see to it 
that thou be sincere. May the Lord enable me solemnly 
to devote my child to him ; and may he graciously take it 
into the number of his adopted ones, that it may be sancti- 
fied from the cradle, or from the womb, as was Jeremiah. 
May he spare it in mercy, use it for his glory, and bestow 
resignation to his will should he be pleased to call it hence. 

A SPIRITUAL SIGHT OF CHRIST. 

Saturday, September 30, 1721. The frame of my mind 
at present is serious, and I am ready to hope that, notwith- 
standing all my unprofitableness, covenant-breaches, and 
multiplied transgressions, I may yet come and find welcome, 
through the mercy of God. I have received some encourage- 
ment this evening : going to look at my horse, it occurred to 
me, that I was near Mr. Baxter's Walk ; I proceeded there, 
and God was pleased to stir up within me a desire after Mr. 
Baxter's spirit. Some earnestness I experienced, yea, pant- 
ing after God ; and I was impressed with a spiritual sight 
of the excellency and beauty of Christ. I do hope, it is the 
prevailing desire of my soul, that Christ may be formed in 
me, and that I may be more and more conformed to him. 
e Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.' 



JEt,S\. HIS AFFECTIONS ABSORBED BY THE WORLD. 43 
HIS GRACES STRENGTHENED. 
*Lord's-day, October 22, 1721. The desires of my soul 
have of late, blessed be God, been more habitually after 
him, than for the greater part of my life. Though I have 
served him in much weakness, and with manifold imperfec- 
tions ; and many times omitted worshipping him in secret ; 
yea, and the love of this world stirring much in me, as my 
endeavours in my worldly calling appear to have a divine 
blessing ; yet, I humbly hope, he stirs up in me desires to 
resist and overcome those workings of worldliness and 
covetousness, and to make me in earnest after l the true 
riches/ This day, it pleased God to stir up in me humble 
and earnest desires to meet him ; and, I hope, I experienced 
his assistance, this morning, both in secret and family-prayer. 
God was also pleased to send me what was suitable and af- 
fecting in public, when the minister* ' Besought us, by the 
mercies of God, to present our bodies a living sacrifice, 
holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service/ 
I immediately after retired with a heart full, I humbly hope, 
of love and praise, blessing God for the impressions that 
were thereby made on my mind. What sorrow for sin, and 
for my habitual corruptions, while, with much weeping, I 
was led to reflect on the many sins of my youth and riper 
years ! My passion of weeping was wound up, I think, to 
as high a pitch as ever I remember on any occasion : but, 
oh ! the pleasure I felt, when God was pleased, through 
that storm of grief, to whisper peace and pardon to my soul. 
How was I made to humble myself before God : how did 
he shew me my own unworthiness and nothingness, and 
make me wonder there was any hope for such a worm ! 

HIS AFFECTIONS ABSORBED BY THE WORLD. 

Lord's-day, June 23, 1723. My son Nathaniel was born 

* The Rev. James Spilsbury. 



44 HIS LOSSES IN TRADE. 1725. 

Thursday, April 4, when, 1 humbly hope, I did, with sin- 
cerity and much affection, devote him to the Lord.* 

I have continued to have a growing trade ever since the 
remarks I made October 22, 1721, but especially for nine 
mont is past. Alas! through the hurries of the world, my 
mimi is,too much indisposed for converse with God in secret; 
and my desires are carried out after the treasures of the world, 
so that I find it made true in me — crescit amor nummi, fyc.f 
O Lord, put me on reflection, examination, and prayer, 
that I ma find out my state, and get matters mended with 
me, for 1 am sure my heart is not so with God as it should 
be. 

Lord's-day, July 7, 1723. Matters are still much the 
same with me. I find a backwardness to every duty, but espe- 
cially to secret duties. This day I have had some stirring of 
affection towards the Lord. His good Spirit hath been at 
work on me, which makes me to hope he hath not entirely 
cast me off, or sworn in his wrath that I ' shall not enter 
into' his ' rest/ It is an unspeakable mercy that is not the 
case, notwithstanding my sad continuance in sin, and back- 
wardness to duty. I have this day solemnly vowed to the 
mighty God of Jacob, that I will be his more than I have 
been, and that this world shall not so engage my thoughts 
and time as it hath done. The Lord help me to fulfil my 
engagements. 

HIS LOSSES IN TRADE. 

Lord y s-day } June 6, 1725. After many years of prosper- 
ity, it has pleased God to exercise me with great losses this 
year, to almost the whole of my capital in trade : but they 
are blessed to my great advantage in spiritual things, and 
made an occasion of clearing up my interest in the love of 
God, and my title to eternal life, for which I had long be- 

* He died October 24, 17 26. 

f The love of money increases as much as the money itself increases. 



Mt. 33. HIS LOSSES IN TRADE. 45 

fore been labouring in vain, by close examination and earnest 
prayer. While my mind was very apprehensive of the fa- 
tal consequences that might attend these overwhelming 
losses, I went into my closet, and read Flavel's Saint In- 
deed, particularly his directions — How to keep the heart in 
times of adversity. It pleased God to bless that good man's 
advice in such a case, and so to set it home to my soul, that 
I was brought into a most submissive, resigned frame. It 
stilled the storm, and produced a perfect calm. I was tho- 
roughly convinced that honey was in the rod, and that God 
was doing me good, and not evil, by my chastisement : and I 
was particularly convinced, that this was sent in answer to 
my prayers. I had often bewailed a proud, earthly heart, 
and had begged for humility andheavenly-miudedness. I was 
convinced that no means could be more likely to obtain 
such a blessed temper, than impoverishing providences. I 
had often prayed, that God would l hedge up my way/ ra- 
ther than suffer me to be proud and carnal. I conclude 
that God has been doing it, and that the issue of all will be 
gracious. 

Lord's-day, July 11, 1725. I greatly hope my kind and 
gracious God hath been pleased to bless this affliction to my 
spiritual benefit. He hath thereby brought my soul into a 
more resigned frame, and made me more solicitous about 
my interest in himself — 6 that good part which can never be 
taken from me/ He hath discovered so much love in this 
providence, as makes me even rejoice in it, and bless him 
for it. The three sermons 1 have been hearing, from the 
Rev. Matthew Bradshaw,* on these words, ' Thou art my 
portion, O Lord!' administered great comfort and joy to 
my soul. I have more cheerful hope, that 1 have chosen 
God for ' my portion/ and that this affliction is so far blessed 

* He married a daughter of Mr. Spilsbury, and succeeded him as 
pastor of the church, 



46 HIS TRIALS SANCTIFIED. 1723. 

to me, as to make the»frame of my spirit more serious, and 
to enable me to engage in every religious duty with greater 
fervency, and to labour after a more close walking with 
God. Oh! gainful loss. Oh! wondrous grace. How l are 
all his ways mercy and truth ! In very faithfulness doth he 
afflict.' He reserves his cordials for his children in their 
greatest straits or difficulties. Let me still hope and trust in 
thee, O my God, and not return to vanity, earthliness, or 
pride any more ; but keep me bumble and serious, and let 
my soul ever bless thee. 

Friday, July 16, 1725. Oh! how wise and gracious is 
my heavenly Father. How sweetly doth he over-rule afflic- 
tive and disappointing providences to my great advantage 
and comfort ! Surely, I find my heart improving and grow- 
ing hereby in submission to the will of God, delight in God, 
and in duty. Surely, I am enabled to love God more, 
not only by means of this trial, but even for it. In prayer, 
this morning, my soul was drawn out in love and praise, and 
my affections sweetly stirred. Blessed be God! 

Saturday, July 17, 1725. Having for a considerable 
time been reading Baxter's Saints' Rest, though never so 
constantly every morning as since my losses in trade, I am 
now come to his arguments for, and directions in the hea- 
venly work of Meditation, and am greatly excited to engage 
in it daily. I began this evening, for the first time, to walk 
abroad to meditate ; and though I have cause to bewail a 
backward, careless, earthly heart, yet, blessed be God, my 
labour, I humbly hope, was not lost. I did experience 
some raisedness of affection, some drawing forth of desire, 
some comfort of hope. 

HIS TRIALS SANCTIFIED. 

Lord's-day, August 1, 1725. I have of late been fre- 
quently searching my heart ; though it is not without much 
backwardness that I am brought to this work, and still more 



j£t. 33. HIS TRIALS SANCTIFIED. 47 

difficult I find it, to engage closely therein. On the whole, 
I greatly hope, that God is ' my portion/ and hath the 
highest place in my affections : for I have been enabled to 
bear my great loss with patience beyond my expectation. 1 
have even been enabled to be thankful, and to bless God 
for this exercise, as believing that he sent it in much mercy, 
and means me good and not harm by it. I have also been 
thereby quickened to strengthen my hold of God, and my 
interest iu him. It hath added to my convictions of the 
world's vanity; made me more solicitous to satisfy myself 
that God is ' my portion/ and not the world ; and made me 
willing to be brought into straits, or into extreme want, if 
my heavenly Father see it best for me ; for if I have an in- 
terest in his love, all afflictions shall be in mercy. I 
have been quickened to the more diligent, constant exer- 
cise of duty; especially in a morning, as I have not so 
easily been put off devoting the first hour after rising, to 
reading and prayer ; which are now performed with more 
than usual delight, desire, and concern : so that I infer, from 
this review of my state, that the gracious influences of the 
Holy Spirit have been working on my soul in a remarkable 
manner. Oh ! how have I been ravished of late, with a 
hopeful prospect of that glory which is to be revealed. What 
pleasure have I found in casting myself at Jesus' feet, and 
submitting to his frowns ! What outgoings of soul after 
him, in earnest desires for more grace, and after a more 
heavenly, fruitful conversation ! ' Bless the Lord, O my 
soul ; and all that is within me bless his holy name.' 

November j 1? '25. About the beginning of this month, 
some aggravating circumstances w T ere added to my late losses 
in trade, on which I again had recourse to Flavel's direc- 
tions — How to keep the heart in times of adversity. God 
was pleased, by reading and prayer, to support my soul, and 
to assure me it was from love, from covenant love, he 
thus exercised me. My distress was relieved. I was en- 



48 HIS TRIALS SANCTIFIED. 1725. 

abled, with faith and patience, to ' cast my burden upon the 
Lord,' upon his wisdom, and directing providence. I was 
particularly led to renew my resolutions to use and improve 
opportunities for meditation. Accordingly, evening after 
evening, God is pleased to ravish my soul with the joyful 
prospect of future glory, and to draw out my longing de- 
sires after it, in such a manner and measure as I never felt 
before. Many times since July 1 1, my desires to have God 
for ' my portion' were greatly excited. Fain would I have 
adopted the Psalmist's aspiration, but durst not. I tried it 
day after day. It ran exceedingly in my mind for weeks. 
Whatever I was doing about my trade-affairs, this would be 
uppermost — Oh ! that I could say, ' Thou art my portion, O 
Lord !' At last, finding that nothing less would satisfy the 
desires of my soul, and believing the Lord himself had stir- 
red up these desires, and therefore, if I were willing, he 
could not be unwilling; I ventured, though with a trembling 
heart, to say — ' Thou art my portion, O Lord!' Thereupon 
joy, like a tide, came rolling in, and got possession of my 
soul ; and I was quickly able, in the confidence of faith, to 
repeat the aspiration. My mind is full of it, and it puts life 
and vigour into every grace. 

November 10, 1725. In answer to a letter in which he 
sympathized with me under my late losses I have written as 
follows : — 

To the Rev. Richard l Pear sail.* 

REV. AND DEAR BROTHER, 

I resent, with sincere gratitude, your kind concern for 
me, and tender sympathy with me, under those afflictions 

* This true friend and brother, of whom a memoir, to record his 
general excellence; is a desideratum, of considerable interest to the 
religious world : was born at Kidderminster, August 29, 1698. He 
was educated for the ministry at Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire ; was 
fixed for t«n years at Bromyard, Herefordshire, from thence he removed 



jEt. 33. HIS TRIALS SANCTIFIED. 49 

which an all-wise, infinitely gracious, loving, and, I humbly 
hope, my beloved God and Father, is, in great mercy, and 
according to the directions of unerring wisdom, exercising 
me with, ' who am less than the least of all his mercies/ 
unworthy of every mercy, and therefore unworthy of his 
correcting love. Shall I tell you ? Are you not desirous to 
know, how so heavy a stroke is borne ? I cannot, without 
fear and jealousy lest my apprehensions and fancy should 
exceed the reality of my faith and divine enjoyments, relate 
to you the temper of my mind, since I heard the tidings of 
my late disappointments. Oh ! that I could do it with a 
single eye to the glory of so good a God, and to the mag- 
nifying of his ineffable grace and love. Dear brother, ' I 
have all things, and abound.' I have not suffered loss, but 
reaped the greatest gain. l He hath shed abroad that love in 
my heart, which is better than wine/ The tidings were at 
first somewhat surprising, the swelling billows began to toss 
my mind and disturb my rest : but, oh ! what serenity fol- 
lows, when God speaks peace. How cheering are the 
smiles of his love ! How sweetly did he persuade, and even 

to Warminster, Wiltshire, where be continued sixteen years ; and 
finally, he settled in 1747, at Taunton, Somersetshire, at which place he 
died November 10, 1762. He edited the Diary alluded to in the note 
to page 22, of this volume. He also published " Contemplations on 
" the Ocean, &c." which are thus mentioned by Mr. Hervey in the 
third volume of Theron and Aspasio, Let. 9. " Should the reader de- 
" sire to see this subject more largely opened, and more fully improv- 
" ed, I would refer him to the publication of my ingenious and pious 
•' friend, Mr. Pearsall ; in which a refined fancy, and delicate philoso- 
" phy, compose a chaplet for evangelical divinity; uniting some of their 
u beautiful and fragrant flowers to adorn the doctrine of God our Sa- 
" viour; — to quicken and refresh the spirits of his people; — to invite 
" and win the hearts of the disobedient." Two volumes of Heliquice 
Sacra of Mr. P. were edited in 1765, by Thomas Gibbons, D.U. And 
a brief account, and a portrait of Mr. P. are in the Evangelical Maga» 
zine, for October, 1810. 

E 



50 HIS TRIALS SANCTIFIED. 1?25. 

assure my soul, that b}& this cross providence, he was faith- 
fully pursuing the great end of electing love, and did order 
this affliction as a means sanctified to that happy end ! That 
' by this, my iniquities should be purged ; and these should be 
the fruits thereof — to take away sin/ — to mortify my carnal af- 
fections, — to wean me from earth and sense, — to strengthen 
my faith in God, and every holy disposition, — to lead me into 
the secret of communion with him here, — and to ripen me for 
everlasting glory hereafter ! Oh ! how did my heart, as well as 
my eyes, oyerflow with joy, when he gave me the comforting 
evidence of my interest in his favour, and in the merits of 
Christ ; shewed me my e name written in the Lamb's book 
of life/ and gave me some foretastes of that l fulness of joy/ 
and those ' rivers of pleasure/ at the fountain-head of 
which, the saints are solacing themselves to eternal ages ! Oh ! 
how ravishing is his beauty and glory. If a transient glance, 
in this state of distance and imperfection, be so transport- 
ing, I had almost said transforming, what will it be to see 
him ' face to face/ to dwell for ever in his glorious presence, 
and look ourselves into his very likeness ? I could cheerfully 
say with Dr. Watts — \ 

* My willing soul would stay 

" In such a frame as this, 
" And sit and sing herself away 

" To everlasting bliss." 

Could I repine, think you, at Providence ? Nay, could I 
so much as grieve ? Was there any place left for sorrow in 
my heart? No. Sorrow was at once banished from my 
mind, and joy and gladness put into full possession. Thus, 
more than once, hath my heavenly Father visited me ; for 
' he is afflicted in all our afflictions/ and reserves his choicest 
cordials for the seasons of our greatest dejection and faint- 
ing. What wisdom too, shines forth in this providence ! On 



JEt. 33. HIS TRIALS SANCTIFIED. 51 

reflection, I find, according to your penetrating hints, that 
though I did, I trust, own the hand of God in the former 
loss, and could bless a taking as well as a giving God, yet I 
1 despised the chastening of the Lord;' or, if I were, in 
any measure, ' humbled under the mighty hand of God/ I 
am sure I too soon forgot it ; of which I was not wholly in- 
sensible, and often chid my stupid soul on that account : and 
though I do believe I have been the better for it ever since, 
yet the desired end was but partially and very imperfectly an- 
swered. My fervour began to cool. I began to remit my 
diligent attendance to secret duties, and particularly solemn, 
stated meditation ; for the conscientious discharge of which, 
that disappointment had strengthened my resolution : — A 
duty this, which I would earnestly recommend to all that 
desire to live a life of communion with God, as they value 
spiritual peace, comfort and joy. Also, what goodness, 
mildness, and gentleness doth my heavenly Father discover 
in this providence ! Perhaps, he is only shaking the rod 
over me, that thereby he might more deeply root former 
impressions : for I am not without hopes that in the issue I 
shall sustain little or no loss in my outward estate. And what 
kindness doth my heavenly Father shew, by inclining good 
brother Henry* to lend me a supporting hand in this exi- 
gence! Surely, I must not overlook the goodness of God there- 
in, at the same time that I owe very great obligations to 
brother Henry, who of his own accord, unasked, be- 
came my surety. I am encompassed round with mercies, 
which way soever I look, or bend my thoughts. Oh! how ad- 
mirably is justice chequered with mercy. How endearing 
the methods of the sovereign grace of God, to bring us to 
himself! But, I fear pride hath too much a hand in dictat- 
ing. Oh ! this cursed pride ; to which I am sensible my 

* Pearsall, who died October 22, 1746. 
E 2 



52 HIS TRIALS SANCTIFIED. 1725. 

temper is very much addicted. Oh ! that God would heal 
me of this sin of pride ; would c hide it from me/ that I 
might take root in humility, and thereby grow more steadfast 
in the ways of God ! Oh ! may this providence be blessed to 
the curing of a vain, earthly mind, and a hard, unbelieving 
heart, and every other spiritual disease : then shall I sing — 

" O happy rod ! 
" That brought me nearer to my God." 

But I fear, I justly fear, I shall again be ensnared by this 
tempting, deceitful world. Dear brother, help me by your 
prayers, help me by your farther instructions* Your &c, 

J. W. 

Lord's-day, December 26, 1725. Still an all-wise God, 
whom, unworthy as I am, I hope I may call my God, my 
gracious and merciful God and Father, is exercising me with 
farther and greater trials, in consequence of my former 
losses, and by which they are rendered more aggravated 
. than I could have imagined. Amidst all these distresses I 
can, through abounding grace, say with Dr. Watts— 

" Should earth against my soul engage, 

" And hellish darts be hurl'd; 
" Then I can smile at Satan's rage, 

" And face a frowning world. 

" Let cares like a wild deluge come, 

" Aud storms of sorrow fall ; 
" May I but safely reach my home, 

a My God, my heav'n, my all!" 

However, I would be found diligently preparing for the 
worst that can come. Therefore, whatever God hath al- 
ready permitted, and even though he should permit the worst 
I can fear, these are my purposes, by the grace of God en- 
abling me : — 



,1^.34. HIS TRIALS SANCTIFIED. 53 

First, I do, and will endeavour to justify God in all. ' He 
is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works/ Per- 
haps, he is ' calling my sins to remembrance/ and chasten- 
ing me for former follies, to humble me yet more ; which is 
what my proud spirit greatly needs. I am very sensible, 
though I have not been duly humbled for it, that I have been 
too much in love with the world, and too much delighted 
with worldly prosperity, even lifted up by it. Oh! that 
pride did not still find place in my heart, and mingle even 
with the patience I discover in bearing these trials of adver- 
sity. Lord, help me to lay myself low, as in the dust, be- 
fore thee. Let me be able to say — Lord, thou hast over- 
come ! Oh! that this proud heart of mine were more effec- 
tually overcome, and bowed to thy will ; that it were purg- 
ed of pride, and every sinful disposition, and made altoge- 
ther such as thou wouldst have it to be ! 

Secondly, I will endeavour to receive this, and every other 
affliction which my heavenly Father is pleased to exercise 
me with, as coming from his hand, and by his direction; and 
therein to comfort myself, and rejoice, that it is my ' Father's 
good pleasure.' Though I desire to mourn for my sins, 
which are the procuring cause of all my afflictions ; yet will 
I rejoice, that they are of my heavenly Father's appointing, 
1 who will stay his rough wind in the day of the east-wind/ 
and will moderate my afflictions, I trust, if he see it best 
for me. How harsh and severe soever he may suffer them 
to be, I know he can sanctify them to my spiritual and eter- 
nal good. Therefore, 

Thirdly, I will endeavour quietly to submit to this, and 
every other affliction. I will bow to the sceptre of divine 
grace, and patiently accept the punishment of my sin. 

Fourthly, I will still hope in God, and repose my trust 
in him alone. ' Yea, though he slay me, yet will I trust in 
him/ ' I can do all this through Christ strengthening me/ 

E 3 



54 THOUGHTS ON HIS ETERNAL STATE. 1726. 

But, O my God, onejthing I humbly beg — < take not thy 
Holy Spirit from me ;' renew thy cordials, and furnish me 
with every grace, that I may hold out even ' unto death/ 
and at last receive the ' crown of life !' 

THOUGHTS ON HIS ETERNAL STATE. 

jlugust, 1726. Being on a journey to London, in a 
cross-road between Aylesbury and Amersham, my way lay 
close by a church-yard, where I saw a monument of a wo- 
man, whose age, when she died, was the same with my own ; 
she and I being born in the same month and year. This 
led me to consider — What if it had been the divine appoint- 
ment, that I had quitted this earthly tabernacle two years 
ago, as she did ; where would death have landed me, and 
what state had I now been in ? Would my departed spirit 
have fallen a prey to the devouring jaws of infernal fiends ? 
Oh ! what terror would have seized me at their first appear- 
ance. What horror would have racked this trembling soul 
of mine, to find itself naked and defenceless under the power 
of merciless furies ! In what a cruel and violent manner 
would they have dragged me to the prison of hell ! With 
what contempt would they have ridiculed my folly, in 
squandering away my precious time, to pursue trifles, ' and 
make provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof/ 
which should have been improved to ' work out my own 
salvation with fear and trembling !' How bitterly would my 
own heart have reproached me for my folly, in refusing the 
offers of grace, which have been so often tendered to me; 
and resisting the motions of the Holy Spirit, which have 
so often sweetly drawn me ; and in dividing my heart between 
God and this world, when it ought to have been the Lord's 
wholly f How would ' the terrors of the Lord' have * set them- 
selves in array against me,' and ' the dregs of the cup' of his 
indignation have been given me ! * Who can dwell with 
devouring fire , ? Who can dwell with everlasting burnings ? J 



Mt. 34. THOUGHTS ON HIS ETERNAL STATE. 55 

How dreadful, to be cut off for ever from the divine favour, 
and for ever to be a companion of devils and damned spi- 
rits, to hear their horrid execrations and blasphemies ! My 
affections by this time were so moved that I could not con- 
tain, but with an audible voice cried out — ' Lord, gather 
not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men!' 
I was comforted with the testimony of my conscience, that 
I had not made such my beloved associates upon earth ; 
that they were not the men of my delight ; and therefore, I 
hoped that my portion would not be with such at last, 
whose company my soul abhorred. I had an inward wit- 
ness, that I could never patiently endure to hear the sacred 
name of God profaned by impious lips, much less to hear 
it blasphemed ; but, that ' God was my exceeding joy, his 
favour my life, and his loving kindness better than life.' 
Encouraged by this lively hope, I shifted the melancholy 
scene to one more bright and glorious. Oh ! what a joyful 
surprise would it be to my soul, as soon as she gets loose 
from this prison of the flesh, to behold a convoy of l angels, 
which excel in strength,' waiting her separation, and ready 
to receive her into their embraces, and welcome her into 
the world of glorified spirits. How transporting, to find 
herself safe under their guardian care, and hear them say — 
Fear not, happy soul', ' thou art greatly beloved/ Oft 
have we stooped from the heights of glory, to attend thy 
motions, and preserve thee from unforeseen dangers. Oft 
have we been detached from the armies of heaven to guide" 
thy doubtful feet through perplexing labyrinths, and to assist 
and animate thy devotions. We are now sent to be thy 
convoy to realms of light, and to present thee before his 
presence, ' who hath loved thee with an everlasting love, 
and with loving kindness hath drawn thee.' — ' Whether 
borne on the wings of those flaming ministers, or on pinions 
of her own, with what speed and pleasure would my spirit 

e 4 



56 A TIME OF SICKNESS AND DEATH. 1726. 

sail betwixt worlds and worlds, towards the haven of im- 
mortal bliss ! When approaching ' the heavenly Jerusalem, 
the city of the living God/ how divine the joy, to ' consider 
her palaces/ and ' mark well her bulwarks !' What ' an 
entrance' would she have ' through the gates into the city !' 
How astonished at the grandeur and magnificence ; and that 
a creature, so mean and unworthy, so vile and sinful, should 
be exalted to such dignity and glory ! But, oh ! the joy, 
to hear from the refulgent throne, in mild and gracious 
accents, such words as these — ' Well done, good and faith- 
ful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord !' How 
ravishing, to receive the caresses of the heavenly inhabitants, 
who rejoiced at her conversion, and will much more rejoice 
at her entrance into glory ! How peculiarly tender the 
greetings of former associates in the path to glory ! How 
charming their songs, and their readiness to teach a stranger! 
Is all this but the beginning of a felicity that is to be ever 
growing? — With these thoughts I felt a joyful persuasion, 
that this, and much more than this, should ere long be my 
happy state. I was filled with sweet consolations. I could 
not forbear crying out — Grace ! grace ! Tears guished 
from my eyes abundantly. Whilst I pursued the medita- 
tion, I was still, with ravishment, crying out — Grace! grace! 
After these strong emotions subsided, a serious, heavenly 
frame, abode long on my mind, attended with earnest breath- 
ings of soul after God and Christ, after grace and glory, 
such as I never experienced in any former journey. 

A TIME OF SICKNESS AND DEATH. 

November 16, 1726. Whilst I was sitting up with a dying 
friend, Mr. Edmund Read, I wrote the following lines. 

To the Rev. R. PearsalL 

DEAR BROTHER, 

Surely, I cannot want a subject now I am hearing the 
pantings of a poor, helpless, sick man, labouring for breath ; 



aFt. 35. A TIME OF SICKNESS AND DEATH. 57 

and perhaps, insensible of his own case. Oh! what a pri- 
vilege to be a Christian. How safe is their state, of whom 
the apostle testifies — ' All things are yours, whether life or 
death, or things present, or things to come.' And again — 
1 I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, &c. shall be 
able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ 
Jesus our Lord.' In such a dying time, when our relations 
and intimate friends are sick and dying around us, we cau- 
not but expect our own turn may be next. What an un- 
speakable pleasure is it, to have some comfortable hopes, 
some well-grounded confidence, that death, our last enemy, 
cannot hurt us ; — that his sting is taken away ; — that, hrough 
the conquest of our victorious Redeemer, we may triumph 
over him, as a disarmed, vanquished foe ; — that, however 
horrible his approaches are to nature; dissolving her frame, 
destroying the curious machine by which the soul acts in 
this state of imperfection, and putting an end to all sensual 
joys ; yet, through the riches of divine grace, we can look, 
by an overcoming faith, beyond these melancholy scenes, to 
the glorious issue ; — to that * rest, which remains for the 
people of God;' — to that prize, for which we are wrestling, 
striving, running, lighting ; — that end of all our duties, for 
which we have so long been waiting and praying ; — that joy- 
ful harvest, after a weeping seed-time ; — yea, that quiet haven, 
after a dangerous, tempestuous voyage ! With what trans- 
porting joy might a lively faith and hope enable the gracious 
soul to look on, and embrace, when called to it, that which 
is the greatest aversion of our nature ; because it puts a 
period to all our sins and sorrows, to all the miseries we 
either feel or fear, and introduces us to the beatific vision 
and fruition of our God and Saviour, ' whom having not seen 
we love,' whose beaming glories shall conform our souls to 
the image of our glorious Creator, and shall finally ' change 
these vile bodies, and fashion them like to his own glorious body!' 
Though ' it doth not yet appear what we shall be, yet w r e know 



58 A TIME OF SICKNESS AND DEATH. 1726. 

that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall 
see him as he is.' Can we forbear crying out with the poet — ■ 

" O happy place ! When shall I be, 
li My God, with thee, to see thy face :" 

Though ? to be present with the Lord/ is the primary hap- 
piness of saints ' absent from the body ;' yet, to be joined c to 
an innumerable company of angels, and to the general as- 
sembly and church of the first-born, which are written in 
heaven, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,' affords 
a delicious prospect. We shall then find, to our increasing 
joy, that our friends, ' who sleep in Jesus/ and are dead as 
to our world, yet live. If we overtake them, to how great 
an advantage shall our acquaintance be renewed ! In how 
much more refined a manner, than we were here wont, shall 
we join them in adoring our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanc- 
tifier! With what ecstatic admiration shall we unite in cele- 
brating the wisdom, power, and goodness of the great Je- 
hovah, which shine so brightly to the inhabitants of that 
blessed world ! With what triumphant exultation, recount 
the wonders of redeeming love, as well in the particular in- 
stances thereof to our own souls, as in its general display to 
the human race ! — But I may well check myself with — ' Who 
is this that darkeneth counsel with w r ords withoutknowledge :' 
How low, how 7 inadequate are my conceptions of that 
glory, which c eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither 
hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive!' This 
we are sure of, that our joy shall be full and everlasting ; 
and should not such a prospect reconcile us to death ? Bless- 
ed then, for ever ' blessed be the God and Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant rnercv 
hath begotten us again to a lively hope of an inheritance in- 
corruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved 
in heaven for us !' How should we rejoice in the ' grace in 
which we stand,' and triumph ' in hope of the glory of 



JEt. j5. a time of sickness and death. 59 

God !' How should we love the Author and Purchaser of all 
this happiness, and admire and adore rich and free grace, 
which i chose us in Christ before the foundation of the 
world,' and ' saved us, not by works of righteousness, 
which we have done, but according to his mercy !' Dear 
brother, how infinite are our obligations to love the Lord. 

Your, &c. J. W. 

Lord's-day, November 20, 17C6. God, my good and 
gracious Father, hath been pleased to appoint a merciful 
issue to my worldly losses, and to give me a \ear of consi- 
derable prosperity in trade ; and yet, I humbly hope, my 
mind hath not been puffed up therewith, as formerly. 

I am now called to observe the hand of God in an un- 
common, malignant, epidemical fever, by which in this little 
town many have been cut ofr, twenty in one week, and eight 
were buried in one day. How shall I improve such awful 
providences: ;>lia;i I surfer the love of the world to fill my 
heart? May I not reasonably expect, that as I also am formed 
of tlte same brittle materials, my own turn may be near ? 
"Wuat remains then, but that, as I have often, so now again, 
I solemnly give up myself to him, 'whose I am,' and humbly 
resign myself to his disposal. Therefore,' into thine hand I 
commit my spirit, thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of 
truth.' O fit me for thyself, and when thou pleasest, receive 
me to thy glory ! Blessed be God, death doth not now ap- 
pear terrible to me ; but how it would appear, in its nearest 
approaches, I cannot say : oh ! that its sting were taken 
away, as I hope it is, that it may be safe, though it should 
not be comfortable. Oh ! that these awful dispensations 
may be sanctified to all concerned, to stir us up to ' prepare 
to meet our God,' aud better to improve our religious privi- 
leges, which are so distinguishing. Thrice happy they who 
are safe arrived above, far from this world of care and strife, 
this abode of sin and sorrow, ' and are ever present with the 
Lord !' Happy they too, who are sincerely the Lord's ; 



60 DEATH OF THE REV. E. SPILSBURY. 1727-8. 

and, though sojourning jn this vale of tears, have a clear title 
to a mansion in the New Jerusalem, and are daily preparing 
for those joys and glories that are to be revealed ! 

DEATH OF THE REV. F. SPILSBURY. 

Lord's-day, February 5, 1727. Our much-lamented 
pastor took his flight from this world, on Tuesday, 
January 31, being our preparation-day, and after having 
been confined eight days. This day, Mr. Thompson* 
preached the funeral sermon, from the words — c Moses, my 
servant is dead/ Having being previously informed of the 
text, I prepared the following verses, which were given out 
before sermon. 

We sing our pastor's mournful death, 
Our notes in solemn numbers flow : 

Lord, cheer us mourners from above, 
Press'd down beneath the awful blow. 

Long had our shepherd watch'd our souls, 
And fed them with the Word of grace ; 

Oft hath he rous'd our sluggish pow'rs 
With speed to run the Christian race :— 

But, he is gone ! Ah ! gloomy day, 

Wherein the messenger of death 
Was sent our union to dissolve, 

And to demand our prophet's breath, 

Well may ' the ways of Zion mourn/ 
And Israel weep their Moses dead ! 

Well may the members groan and grieve, 
Spoiled of their venerable head ! 

Yet, in the midst of death and grief, 

This thought our sorrow shall assuage— 

Our Father and our Saviour lives ; 

Christ is ' the same' through ev'ry age ! 

* See page 34. 



&t.36. HIS SECOND LANCASHIRE JOURNEY. 61 

SICKNESS AND DEATH IMPROVED. 

June 28, 1727- On my return home yesterday from an 
evening walk, in which my heart had been warmed with 
meditation, I visited a neighbour, whom I found wrestling 
with death, and very delirious. I prayed with his friends. 
This morning I went again, and was much affected, to see 
so vain a man standing on the very edge of life, soon to leap 
into an unknown eternity, for which I fear he was too little 
prepared. He died about noon. In retirement, I set my- 
self to meditate on death, which again prevails amongst us ; 
and I ruminated on an excellent sermon, preached by my 
brother Pearsall, yesterday, on the importance of having an 
interest in Christ, from the words — ' My beloved is mine.' 
My affections were stirred, and gracious discoveries my hea- 
venly Father was pleased to make of his love to my soul. 

October 1, 1727. In my late Lancashire journey, I had 
sweet experience of the Spirit's gracious influences, helping 
me to maintain a devout frame of soul, and enjoy delightful 
communion with God in meditation, when, in many evening 
walks, I retired from public company. The sickness and 
mortality, which every where prevailed, were of great service 
to me ; they kept the general temper and frame of my mind 
serious, by holding the eternal state and world much in 
view. Blessed be God ! 

HIS SECOND LANCASHIRE JOURNEY. 

Wednesday, March 27, 1728. This evening I returned 
from my second Lancashire journey, with Mr. Azariah 

,* of whose company I am tired, and have resolved 

never to travel with him again. I had sweet seasons on 
both the Lords'-days that I was from home ; the first, at Lan- 
caster, where I joined with Mr. Bent and a handful of poor 
people in celebratiug the Lord's supper ; and though, hav- 

* The person mentioned January 29, 1715. 



62 ON PROMOTING SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION. 1728. 

ing no previous notice, J had made no particular preparation, 
I had truly a sweet season; my affections being devoutly 
raised and employed. The next Lord's-day I spent at 
Manchester, where the ingenious and pious Mr. Motter- 
shead # exercised both parts of the day. Joining with him 
in his morning prayer, my spirit was much broken by con- 
trition and humiliation for sin ; as it was also, in many in- 
stances on the journey; but especially for being forced to ride 

nine miles on that day, through Mr. Azaidah 's dilatori- 

ness the day before. I think I had sweet experience of tha 
Spirit's gracious influence, in a more eminent manner than 
in my first journey that way, in September. Bessed be 
God! — My son Henry was born January 7, of this year.f 

CHRISTIANS EXCITED TO PROMOTE SPIRITUAL 
CONVERSATION. 

Friday, June 21, 1728. As the human race, generally, 
is indued with rational powers and formed for societ} T , that 
each individual might administer assistance and comfort to 
another; and, as the utmost extent of natural or acquired 
abilities and accomplishments is unattainable in a solitary 
state : so the Christian community is made up of individuals 
indued with a diversity of gifts, that each may impart to 
another some spiritual benefit, some addition of knowledge, 
strength, vigour, resolution, succour, delight, or joy, w T hich 
w r ou!d be otherwise unattainable. By imparting to others, 
the Christian does not lessen his own stores, for in feeding 
others he feasts himself, and in delighting others he rejoices 
his own soul ; insomuch as such communications tend to re- 

* The Rev. Joseph MoUershead, who moved to Manchester, about 
1718, from Nantwich, and in whose house, at the latter place, died the 
justly celebrated Rev. Matthew Henry. Mr. M's. third wife was the 
daughter of the Rev. C. Blackmore alluded to, Nov. 25, 1745 : he died 
in 1771, aged 33. 

f He died August 23, following. 



jEt.36. ON PROMOTING SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION. 63 

new his divine sensations, which are themselves the offspring 
of intercourse between God aud the soul. Often hath it 
been matter for real sorrow to me that I have been unable 
to procure spiritual conference. How backward are too 
many Christians to engage in this duty ! Often have I made 
the attempt on some whom I believe to be spiritually mind- 
ed, and have been able to draw from them scarcely any 
thing more than " aye" or " no, 1 ' or some short expression of 
approbation of what may have been said. Good God! 
how is it that they whose eyes thou hast enlightened to ap- 
prove those things which are most excellent, and to choose 
thee for their chief good and ultimate end, should be so 
backward to speak of thee and of thy ways ! Surely, each 
may impart some spiritual benefit ; for the head hath need of 
the feet, and the feet of the head. If Christians did but act 
the part of worldlings in this particular, by considering 
what a heavenly kingdom, what an ample estate, or reversion 
they are entitled to, how would their love to each other 
dispose them, as Jonathan to David, to be sometimes con- 
gratulating each other on the subject, expatiating on, and 
enumerating many particulars of their future felicity ; and 
what grateful mention would they make of the wonderful 
Donor ! Let such consider that they have a sure, indefeasi- 
ble title to a kingdom which hath everlasting foundations ; 
wherein alone the blessed inhabitants are without ambition, 
envy, or the cares that attend the present state, and then can 
they be silent in the praise of their munificent Lord, who so 
freely adopted them ; and prepared them for such ineffable 
glory as ' eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have en- 
tered into the heart of man, the things which God hath pre- 
pared for them that love him/ Christians should be more 
forward to strengthen each other's hands in God, and to ex- 
cite and confirm each other's resolutions to fulfil the terms 
on which they hold their title to the heavenly inheritance. 
Alas ! my sluggish self needs to be more excited to so good 



64 FLATTERY REJECTEE. 1728. 

a work. The Lord fill my heart with his grace, that it may 
' abound more and more/ 

FLATTERY REJECTED, AND SINCERITY SOLICITED. 

To the Rev. R. Pearsall. 

Kidderminster, August 2, 1728. 

MY DEAR BROTHER, 

I rejoice in your ready compliance with my proposal, 
from which I promise myself, if God shall see fit to prolong 
our lives, much spiritual profit and pleasure. It will afford 
occasion sometimes to withdraw my vain, carnal mind, from 
worldly pursuits and amusements, to musings and studies 
more worthy a rational soul; and so it will be as a spur to 
my slothf ulness, for I confess I find in myself an unaccount- 
able backwardness to engage in spiritual things. From your 
communications at how cheap a rate shall I possess divine 
truths digested into new and easy forms, the result of my 
dear brother's studious labours ; and read in piecemeal the 
transcript of a heaven-born soul, enlarged and cultivated 
not more by external advantages than by being long exer- 
cised in heavenly pursuits. You express, indeed, a very 
humble sense of your own abilities and performances; oh! 
that I could always preserve a like sense of mine, which 
would cause more glory to redound to the great Author of 
all my mercies, and bring more peace and prosperity to my 
soul: but here give me leave to expostulate with my dear 
brother. — I have formerly mentioned how addicted my spirit 
is to pride ; in which I am persuaded you believe that I do 
not charge myself unjustly : now, can it at all tend to my 
cure, that you should ascribe to me as in your last, qualities 
so exalted ; and such as also, in a former letter you were 
pleased to express admiration of almost ad stuporem.* Such 
expressions might very innocently pass from a Spilsbury 
to a Howe, but oh! let no such sparks ever be struck 

* To astonishment. 



JEt.oQ. MEDITATION BEFORE THE LORD'S SUPPER. 65 

into my inflammable breast. At this very moment pride is 
rising while I would do justice to the wisdom of the late Mr. 
Spilsbury, who scarcely ever indulged me with any expres- 
sion of approbation, even when occasions had offered them- 
selves ; being well acquainted with my proud temper. That 
I may get some help of God for this my soul-malady, I beg 
that in your next you .would deal faithfully by opening to 
me, with the greatest freedom and impartiality, all that you 
apprehend or know to be amiss in my spiritual state ; yea, 
rip open and spare not; such violence shall not break my 
head, for I promise to receive in good part the worst that 
you shall hint of me. Rest not in generals, but descend to 
the smallest particulars. Such monitions from a brother, 
will, I doubt not, connect our love and fraternal regards the 
more strongly; for the remembrance of such conduct, I have 
found, in nothing else so much awakens my filial affection 
and esteem for the memory of my dear father Williams, in 
whom I lost a faithful, prudent, tender monitor, not only for 
sinful actions, but also for common indecorums. Think of 
this, and believe me to be in the best bonds, 

Your &c. J. W. 

MEDITATION BEFORE THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

Lord 's-day , September 1 , 1728. O my soul, I am this day 
to celebrate the supper of the Lord. It is not a feast for 
my body, but my soul. Hast thou a spiritual appetite ? 
If, through grace, an habitual disposition towards things of 
of a spiritual nature be given, yet it concerns thee to get 
lively actings of that divine temper. I hope a saving change 
hath been wrought in me. The truth of my conversion 
hath stood many a trial. My conscience hath witnessed to 
this good work of the Holy Spirit. ' Bless the Lord' for 
this, ' O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy 
name/ Yet, how indisposed and unprepared do I find 

F 



66 MEDITATION BEFORE THE LORD'S SUPPER. 1729, 

myself at this time ! God hath been pleased to prove me by 
many family afflictions and deaths. I did endeavour, I 
hope, patiently to submit to the will of God, and to humble 
myself under his mighty hand: but, alas! how soon hath 
the sense thereof worn off my mind ! How quickly have I 
lost the impressions of the rod ! I have not, indeed, ' fainted 
under* the divine ' rebukes ,' but I have ' despised the chas- 
tening of the Lord,' which should have bound me, as with 
cords, to the careful, serious discharge of every duty, and to 
a constant preparation for my own dissolution. How much 
need have I to be importunate for divine influences from 
above, without which I *can do nothing!' Let me now 
awake out of my sloth and stupidity, and stir up my soul to 
lay hold on God. — I am to accept of Christ to be my King 
and Saviour, with all the blessings of his purchase, as ex- 
hibited at his table to all that are willing and prepared. — I 
am to remember him, and what he hath done and suffered ; 
and to shew forth his death, in order to the mortification of 
my lusts, and the increase of my faith and love, my repent- 
ance, and new obedience. I find myself sadly unfit for 
work so heavenly and divine. I have been earnestly seek- 
ing the divine presence on my knees. For this cause I will 
beseech the Lord again and again. ' I will go unto God, 
unto God my exceeding joy;' unto God who hath e the re- 
sidue of the Spirit.' Who knows but he may return and be 
gracious? I will confess my sins unto him. Who knows but 
he may give me ( a broken and a contrite heart'? I will 
plead with him, the death of his ' own Son;' and his own 
declared willingness to make us holy and happy. God will 
not shut out the cries of his children. I will cast myself 
upon his mercy and truth, who c never said to the seed of 
Jacob — Seek ye me in vain* My God will hear my com- 
plaint, and give a gracious answer, if I can but send up 
humble, fervent desires. 



Mt. 37. THOUGHTS ON THE LAST JUDGMENT. 67 

THOUGHTS ON THE LAST JUDGMENT. 

Lord's-day, J11I1/QJ7, 1729- In an excellent sermon to- 
day, by my brother Pearsall, it hath been proved, from rea- 
son and scripture, that l We must all appear before the judg- 
ment-seat of Christ.' And now, O my soul, what prepara- 
tion have I made for the future judgment ? On what terms 
do I stand with God ? The day is coming, yea, it hastens on 
apace, when I shall be 'cut off from the land of the living,' 
when I shall no longer have opportunity of repenting or be- 
lieving, of confessing sin or forsaking it, and so making my 
peace with God through faith in the blood of the Redeemer. 
I have been long since ' planted in the house of the Lord/ 
I have made great profession of religion. I have been blessed 
with many serious calls to repentance and new obedience. 1 
have been awakened by many a rod, many a smarting stroke 
of Providence. I have many a time sat down with the fol- 
lowers of Christ at his table, and there professed to renew 
my baptismal vow, my covenant engagements to be the 
Lord's. It may justly be feared, 'if I am filthy, I shall be 
-filthy still.' Sure I am, i as the tree falls, there it shall lie.' 
O my soul, art thou savingly interested in Christ, or art thou 
not? After all the serious, diligent researches into my heart 
and life I have already made, it is worth my- while again to 
inqitire into this important concern, that if, on an impartial 
trial, my ' heart condemn me not,' I may x have confidence 
towards God,' and may ' rejoice in hope of the glory of 
God ;' or if my ' heart condemn me,' yet, as mercy is still 
freely offered, and there is a possibility of my repentance and 
return to God, I may labour to get an affecting, soul-hum- 
bling sense of my miserable state, and may i flee from the 
wrath to come.' Surely, there is hope in Christ concerning 
this thing. If I were presumptive heir to some considerable 

estate, even thouch my title to it were very disputable, T 

F 2 



68 THOUGHTS ON THE LAST JUDGMENT, 17&9* 

should spare no pains m my power to make it clear; I should 
* accomplish a diligent search ;' I should be contriving ways- 
and means to get as certain a knowledge of it as possible ; 
and as far as I apprehended consistent with justice, I should 
stick at nothing to make it sure : and doth not the kingdom of 
heaven deserve as much labour and diligence as an earthly 
possession? Inquire then, O my soul, into thy qualifications 
for the heavenly felicity and glory,, and consequently thy 
title to it. — Do I hate sin? Heaven is a state of holiness, as 
well as happiness, and ' there shall in no wise enter into it 
any thing that deflleth, or that worketh abomination, or that 
inaketh a lie/ The God with whom I have to do, is a 
holy, sin-hating God, and requires that his people e be holy 
as he is holy/ An interest in Christ is utterly inconsistent 
with a love to sin, for * Christ is not the minister of sin/ — 
Do I then, hate sin ? Thus far I am sure — I hate sin in 
others ! I hate profane swearing, sabbath-breaking, drunk- 
enness, uncleanness, theft, and murder : I hate their lying 
and dissimulation, perfidy, and ingratitude. But, do I hate 
my own sins ? I hope I can truly say, as to myself, I hate 
uncleanness of every kind, and in every degree : I hate ly- 
ing, cheating, over-reaching of others, even where I could 
do it unknown to all men : I hate profaneness of every 
kind, even profane wit : I hate hypocrisy, and I hope I hate 
worldly-mindedness. Yea, I hope, too, I hate pride, even in 
myself; it is what I watch, and strive, and pray against. I 
see the beauty of humility; the excellency of a spiritual 
frame of soul, and a holy, heavenly conversation. I hope, 
I love God so much, that I hate every thing that is deroga- 
tory to his honour. I hope, I hate every thing that unfits 
me for the service of God, or for the duties of my calling. 
I can generally deny myself things, however pleasant or 
agreeable to my palate, or carnal desires, or views of any 
kind, so far as I find the gratification and pursuit thereof 



JEt. 37. THOUGHTS ON THE LAST JUDGMENT. 69 

would interfere with my temporal and spiritual interests, or 
obstruct my usefulness. I cannot but hope, on the closest 
examination of my heart, that I do indeed hate sin. — Do I 
love God above all, and the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity? 
Can I answer, if the question were put to me by the Searcher 
of hearts — Joseph Williams, l lovest thou me, more than allf 
Can I appeal to Omniscience itself-—' Lord, thou know- 
est all things, thou knowest that I love thee' ? I have often 
found by unquestionable experience, that I do in my judg- 
ment approve of the enjoyment of God, of his favour, and 
the light of his countenance, and prefer them before any 
pleasure whatsoever, though in the absence of every crea- 
ture-comfort, even in poverty and want, and under a load of 
scorn or contempt : that in my judgment I do approve of a 
life of communion with God in the most abject, outward cir- 
cumstances, better than a series of the highest prosperity, 
better than the abundance of riches and honour, without his 
special love and favour. Sure I am, if I can be sure of any 
thing, that I have often tasted more exquisite delight in 
meditation and prayer, have drawn more solid satisfaction 
from a sense of divine love, and a good hope of an interest 
in Christ, than ever I felt in any other joy whatsoever. Yea, 
in the most prosperous circumstances 1 have ever been fa* 
voured with, my best comforts have been derived from the 
hopes of the full enjoyment of the divine presence. Why 
then, O my soul, am I so seldom, and so cold, in meditation 
and prayer ? Can this consist with a superlative love to God 
and Christ? ' Where the treasure is, there will the heart be 
also.' If the favour of God be above all things dear to me, 
why am I so cold a suitor at the throne of grace ? Why, no 
more on my knees in my closet ? Why do I employ so little 
time in devout meditation ? If, indeed, 1 love him above 
all, why doth it not appear by loving to converse with him ? 
Why do I not love his people more, and delight more in 

F 3 



70 THOUGHTS ON THE LAST JUDGMENT. 1730. 

their society and converse ? Why do I not shew greater zeal 
in promoting his cause and interest ? O my soul, lovest thou 
the Lord Christ? — Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ ? 
Do I believe in him to the saving of my soul ? Is mine 
an evangelical faith ? I hope I can truly say — 1 approve the 
method of salvation by faith in Christ. I heartily approve 
the terms of the new covenant, so far as I understand them. 
I am heartily willing that God should have all the glory of 
my redemption by Christ ; of my conversion; of all my best 
services ; of my highest hopes and comforts. I am willing 
to lay myself in the dust, in a sense of my utter unworthiness, 
I see and own the unprofitableness and inefficacy of all my 
best duties, — my watchfulness, self-denial, humiliation, and 
sorrow for sin ; of all my obedience and charity ; of all my 
prayers and praises,— to merit divine acceptance, and to re- 
lease me from that obligation to punishment sin hath laid me 
under, much more to justify me before God, and entitle me 
to the great and glorious rewards proposed and promised in 
his gospel, e Counting' all my own righteousness * but dung 
and dross,' I am willing to reach forth an empty hand, that I 
may receive a sealed pardon, and be 'counted righteous 
through faith,' and be ' accepted in the beloved/ I would 
give up my wife, my children, liberty, trade, and worldly pro- 
fits, pleasures, honours, yea, even life itself, whenever any 
or all of them may stand in competition with Christ, or with 
my duty to him. I would devote myself, my all, entirely to 
his service and honour ; and commit my soul, with all my 
most valuable and important interests, to his care and keep- 
ing. To him alone I desire and design to yield up my 
departing spirit, whenever he shall please to call me hence : 
but, alas ! where are the lively actings of my faith on Christ, 
and his all-sunicient sacrifice ? A spirit of sloth and slumber 
is fallen upon me. The cares of this world retard the lively 
motions of my soul. O thou God of the spirits of all flesh, 



j£t. 38. HOLY RESOLUTIONS CONFIRMED. 71 

send down quickening influences from above, that I may 
i stir up' my soul to ' lay hold on thee ! ' 

HOLY RESOLUTIONS CONFIRMED. 

Lord's-day, February 1, 1730. Last night I meditated 
on the words in John xv. 15 — ' I have called you friends.' 
I considered Christ as owning and greeting his people as 
' friends/ in what he has done for them, and what he is nozo 
doing for them ; and also, in shewing what he will do for 
them, by attending them at death, receiving their souls, tak- 
ing care of their bodies in order to raise them in due time, 
and mould them into a more glorious form, acquitting and 
applauding them before men and angels at the day of judg- 
ment, and setting them at his own right hand in glory to 
eternal ages : all which, I applied in the way of self-examin- 
ation. I had been for several days prevented from reading 
any thing practical, which is a loss to me ; but, blessed be 
God, who warmed my heart with the foregoing meditation, 
and though that and the examination of myself were not 
long, I enjoyed a good hope that I am of the number of 
Christ's ' friends,' which was confirmed to me afterward, when 
with great earnestness and seriousness I applied myself to 
secret prayer, in which my Almighty, faithful, compassion- 
ate, patient, necessary, and everlasting Friend, enabled me to 
pour out my soul to him with great enlargedness, and filled 
me with divine peace and joy, from a full incontestable 
assurance that I have the Spirit, aud that I then very sensi- 
bly felt its lively application. 1 was filled i with joy un- 
speakable, and full of glory,' so that l my soul did magnify 
the Lord, and my spirit rejoiced in God my Saviour.' My 
soul was drawn out in strong desires after the living God ; 
after more of his grace here, and fuller enjoyment of him in 
glory. I was deeply humbled by a sense of my unworthi- 
ness of sucfara peculiar favour, and by a sense of my mani- 

v 4 



72 ADMONITIONS TO A MINISTER. 1730-1. 

fold and late vanities*, but, I trust, holy resolutions were 
entered into and confirmed, for new and better obedience. 
Amen. Hallelujah! 

ADMONITIONS TO A MINISTER. 
To the Rev. **** #######. + 

May SI, 1730. 

REV. SIR, 

I beseech you more to study plainness and perspicuity of 
style. You preach not to the most judicious, but to the most 
learned. Your long sentences run us out of breath, and per- 
plex or cloud our understandings, and clog our memories. 
Your want of just and due pauses, &c. confounds our ideas ; 
and does, to our conceptions, very much spoil the admirable 
contexture of your elaborate discourses. — I shall be truly 
sorry if these hints shall afford a ground of discouragement 
to you, which I assure you flow from a spirit of Christian 
love, and real friendship ; and, I humbly hope, some earnest 
desire and zeal, that God may be glorified, and precious 
souls eternally saved through your ministrations. I am sure 
you will excuse this freedom, and take in good part, what I 
am confident is well intended. May the Lord of the harvest 
assist and prosper you mightily in the great and difficult 
work of gathering precious souls to himself; and make you 

f This and the subsequent letter are produced as examples of faith- 
ful dealing on the part of a hearer to a minister; which, when season- 
able, and accompanied with the spirit of love, ought not to be regarded 
as offensive. In allusion to this very minister, another, whose name 
would carry with it considerable influence, has this remark in one of 
his letters : — " He had, I suppose, about twenty people to hear him at 
" the last; having ruined a fine congregation by his very learned, criti- 
-f< cal, and dry discourses, an extreme heaviness in the pulpit, and an 
" almost total neglect of pastoral visits and private inspection." That 
Mr. W. was a candid hearer, may be inferred from his commending a 
discourse delivered by the minister previously admonished with such 
laudable fidelity. St'e page 80. 



JEt. 39. JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING. 73 

the spiritual father of many sons and daughters in this place : 
so prayeth, and shall pray, your's most truly, most affection- 
ately, J. W. 
To the Same* 

September 6, 1730. 

DEAR SIR, 

I am so full I cannot refrain. I have been pouring out 
my soul to God in the bitterness of my spirit, but even that 
sufficeth not. Believe me, it goes to my very heart, to 
hear you, instead of a soul-melting sacramental discourse, 
which I reasonably expected, to hear you, I say, deliver a 
dry unseasonable discourse, in such a dull, lifeless manner. 
I am afraid little good was done thereby to precious souls. 
Believe me, such preaching will never obtain the great end 
of your ministry. Oh ! that you had a little more fervent 
love to Christ, and to precious souls : that you would me- 
ditate more, though you redeem the time even from your 
studies, for more of the student than the Christian appears 
to me in this morning's discourse. Oh ! that you would 
read and seriously weigh and apply Baxter's Saints' Rest,, 
part 3, chap. v. sec. 5 : and that you would excuse my great 
freedom, and receive with Christian patience, candour and 
humility, what is, I am sure, well meant, however per- 
formed ! — 1 could not satisfy my conscience on the neglect 
hereof. The Lord grant to us all more Christian zeal, and 
fervency of spirit in serving him, for surely, this is the most 
sleepy age of the Church. I love God, therefore I thus 
address you; and am, in the sincerest bonds of Christian 
love and friendship, dear sir, your cordial friend, and most 
humble servant, J. W. 

JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING. 

Saturday, June 19, 1731. I desire to bless God, that 
I have been enabled by his grace, for a long time, and par- 
ticularly of late, ( to walk humbly' and closely with him, 



74 THE HEAVENLY REST. 1731. 

and have had large experience of the assistance of his Spirit 
in duty, humbling me deeply under a sense of my weakness 
and instability, strengthening my faith in Christ, and draw- 
ing out my soul in earnest desires after him, and after more 
abundant supplies of his Spirit and grace. Having now for 
many years enjoyed, with little interruption, a settled, pre- 
vailing, and comfortable hope of an interest in Christ, and 
in all the blessings and benefits of his purchase, I received, 
this morning, a refreshing token of my heavenly Father's 
everlasting and unchangeable love, a renewed evidence of 
his special favour, and of my title to the l glory that is to 
be revealed/ I was enabled to exercise an appropriating 
faith in the promises, and to be persuaded, that, as sure as 
the word of God is true, the blessed ( rest' of the saints ' re- 
mains' for me. I was enabled to answer in the affirmative, — 
humbly appealing, even to Omniscience itself,— to all the 
queries, or marks of trial, proposed by Mr. Baxter, in his 
Saints' Rest : but, how can my ungrateful soul be so little 
affected with this, and so much straitened in the high praises 
of my gracious God, who hath done so great things for me ! 
' Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless 
his holy name/ 

THE HEAVENLY REST. 

A MEDITATION 

On the words — ' There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God. 9 

Is there a heav'nly rest ? The sound 
Spreads o'er my frame a joy profound. 
Blest day ! when on my Saviour's breast, 
My raptur'd soul shall ever rest 
From sinning, — not from heav'n's employ ; 
From sorrow, — not from sacred joy. 
Then, shall my soul, illum'd, explore 
The springs and causes veil'd before 5 



JEt. 39. THE HEAVENLY REST. 75 

And mark in all, how brightly shine 
Traces of Providence divine ; 
What wisdom, justice, pow'r, controul — 
What truth and love conduct the whole : 
And, rapt with admiration, raise 
A tribute to my Maker's praise. 
How shall I then, rejoice to trace 
The goodness of recov'ring grace ! 
Which, through conversion's straiten' d gate 
Safe led me ; and, though intricate, 
Taught me to tread that narrow way 
Which tends to realms of endless day ; 
Gave a new bias to my will — 
To love of good, from love of ill ; 
Made me to know that Christ alone 
Incensed Justice could atone ; 
And, when with sore afflictions prest, 
To seek the sure, unfailing rest. 

Methinks, Christ's harbingers I hear! 
The shouting saints proclaim him near : 
1 hear th' archangel's trumpet sound ; 
It rends the rocks, it cleaves the ground ; 
The heav'ns reverberate the noise 
With clangor shrill — u Ye dead, arise !" 

Now, where's the soul that dare deny 
Or doubt, the Filial Deity ? 

What will the trembling sinners do ? 
How will they pass the dread review ? 
See ! the Judge frowns with wrathful ire, 
And dooms them to resistless fire. 

Behold, in what a diff'rent way 
The saints abide th' important day ! 
How sweet the accents of His voice, 
Who bids their ravish'd hearts rejoice j 



75 THE HEAVENLY REST. 

And whose endearing love invites 
To ' mansions' of supreme delights. 

There, link'd in bands of purest love, 
Young saints harmonious numbers move. 
They sing — " Th' eternal Father's grace 
" Which drew us from a guilty race ; 
" Which, from earth's dangers, sins, and snares, 
" Hath chose and made us joyful heirs 
" Of heav'nly crowns ; a kingdom sure ; 
" And bliss that ever shall endure ! 
" Thee, Saviour ! also, we adore, 
" Who, shame and sorrow for us bore ; 
" And, by the merit of thy blood, 
" Prepared us for this blest abode. 
" We laud thee, too, Celestial Dove ! 
" Who, on our hearts didst early move ; 
" Infusing love, and ev'ry grace, 
u To fit us for this holy place. 

■ — " With gratitude our souls distend : 
i( Our hallelujahs ne'er shall end !" 



1731, 



Hard by, a more illustrious band 
Long since arriv'd from Hebrew land ; 
With joyful notes, and harps of gold, 
This strain in tuneful concert hold : — 
" God is our strength, our heav'nly song, 
" To him our choicest strains belong : 
" He is our God ; him we adore 
u Who was our fathers' God before ; 
u Brought them from rig'rous servitude, 
" And all their enemies subdu'd ; 
" Prolong'd their peace, and gave repose, 
u While heavy judgments plagu'd their foes t 
" And by a bright successive train 
"Of awful signs, did Mercy deign, 



JEt. S9. THE HEAVENLY REST. 77 

" Though with their num'rous follies prest, 
M To lead them to the promis'd rest ! 

— " Thy works how marvellous, and great ! 

" Lord God Almighty, how complete ! 

" How just and true, are all thy ways ! 

" Who shall not fear, adore, and praise ?" 

Not distant far, another throng 
In graceful order move along, 
With solemn step, and mien erect ; 
In rays of brightest lustre deckt ; 
Whose high commission once had been 
Proud princes to rebuke for sin, — 
To warn of judgments nigh athand 
Impending o'er a guilty land, — 
Heav'n's high behests, with ardent zeal, 
Of grace, or terror, to reveal, — 
Confirm the good, their fears repel, 
Or promis'd blessings to foretel. 
Each of the venerable band, 
Tunes his sweet harp with skilful hand : 
While, joining with melodious tongue, 
Now one, now 'other, leads this song :— 
" The mighty God from Teman came, 
u While thousands of his saints acclaim ; 
u From Paran mount, the Holy One 
u In bright, distinguished glory shone ; 
u His glory o'er the heav'ns was spread, 
" And the whole earth his praise receiv'd. 
" The dreadful wrath that arm'd his hand, 
" No mortal force could e'er withstand. — 
" Firm to the word, not largest bribes 
" Could change his oath to Jacob's tribes 
" Through desart tracts their journey lay ; 
u But streams refresh'd the dreary way. 









78 THE HEAVENLY REST. 1731 

" Mountains beheld, and trembling stood ; 
" His pow'r impress'd th' accustom'd flood ; 
" The murm'ring billows backward hie, 
" And leave the yawning channel dry. 
" Conscious of his resistless force, 
" The sun suspends his rapid course ; 
" The moon at his command stands still ; 
" While fi'ry arrows, vengeful, kill : 
" His flaming sword, and glitt'ring spear, 
" Slaughter'd his foes with wrath severe. 
" What troops his terrors could withstand, 
" When marching through a guilty land 
" To thresh his foes, wherever found, 
" And tread the heathen to the ground r" — - 
Straight, the whole choir their voices raise, 
And thus, in concert join the praise : — 

" Thy works how marvellous and great 1 
" Lord God Almighty, how complete ! 
' " How just and true are all thy ways ! 
" Who shall not fear, adore, and praise r" 

They ceas'd. Then with his harp and tongue, 
Another guides the grateful song : — 
u I love my God, I love his name ; 
" His bright perfections Til proclaim ; 
" Fll speak his pow'r ; I'll sing his grace ; 
" My song shall reach his holy place;. 
" He is my Fort, my blest Abode, 
" My Rock, my Saviour, and my God ; 
" My Strength, on whom I sole rely; 
" My Buckler, and my Tow'r on high ; 
" Sacred to him be all my lays : 
" He merits my transcendent praise 
" Who queli'd the men that 'gainst me rose ; 
" And hurl'd destruction on my foes. — 



j£t. 39. THE HEAVENLY REST. 79 

u He listen'd to my fervent prayers ; 
u Relieved my sorrows ; sooth'd my cares : 
" From heav'n he mark'd a glorious path ; 
u Earth shook and trembl'd at his wrath ; 
" Hills, of their deep foundations proud, 
" Aw'd by his presence, shook, and bow'd ; 
" Above, high blazing meteors play ; 
" Thick swelling clouds prepare his way ; 
" When — bursting from th' astonished skies, 
u A God! strikes on my frighted eyes : — 
" Down from above, he came, he stood, 
" And drew me from the gaping flood." — 
Again, the choir in concert join ; 
And thus, in praise again combine : — 

" Thy works how marvellous, and great ! 

" Lord God Almighty, how complete ! 

" How just and true are all thy ways ! 

" Who shall not fear, adore, and praise ?" 

Scarce had these accents pass'd away, 
When others still this strain convey : 
But now, methought, the heav'nly choir, 
In praise more sweet, more loud, conspire; — 
" Worthy the Lamb which once was slain, 
" That we might to these seats attain ! 
" Let ev'ry nation, ev'ry tribe, 
" Wisdom and pow'r, with praise, ascribe ; 
u Salvation, honour, and renown, 
" To him that on the throne sits down ; 
" — The spotless, interceding Lamb ; 
" The First and Last, the great I AM. 
" To him that's holy, just, and true ; 
" To him that did our foes subdue ; 
" Who, once w r as slain, yet ever lives, .». 
" And endless life by dying gives ; 



80 ON KEEPING HIMSELF FROM HIS INIQUITY. 1732. 

" Blessing and glory, kingdom, pow'r, 
" Riches and strength for evermore !" 



Is heav'n so sweet ? Is heav'n so sure ? 
A bliss which ever shall endure ? 
Then truly, madness hath possest 
The souls that slight this heav'nly rest ! 
To his dear Name, be deathless praise, 
Who rescu'd me from devious ways ; 
Ador'd for ever be that love, 
Which turned my feet tow'rds realms above ! 
Come then, adored Saviour ! come, 
And fit me for my heav'nly home. 
Oh ! while I have both breath and knee, 
Let me still breathe and bend to thee, 
Let my meet soul desire the day, 
Reluctant flesh puts far away : 
When parting from my fleeting breath, 
Lord ! with the righteous be my death ! 
Oh ! be as his my latter end ; 
Then thy glorious guardians send 
My joyful spirit to convey 
To realms of everlasting day : 
And, while surviving Christians dear, 
Over my grave shall drop a tear, 
Let me, in robes celestial drest, 
Repose with thee in heav'nly rest! 

ON KEEPING HIMSELF FROM HIS INIQUITY. 

Lord's-day, October £2, 1732. Now, O, my soul, after 
hearing an excellent discourse # on the Psalmist's declara- 
tion — ' I have kept myself from mine iniquity/ consider and 
inquire — What is thy beloved, thy favourite, thy own ini- 
quity ? Is it the lust of uncleanness ? Surely, no ! I can- 

* See note; page 71. 



j£t. 40. ON KEEPING HIMSELF FROM HIS INIQUITY. 81 
not but hope, that, many years ago, when at first 1 was 
under awakening convictions, lust then received its deadly 
wound. Is it covetousness, or love of the world ? I can- 
not but hope too, through the grace and good providence of 
God, these iniquities are in a good measure subdued. Is it 
malice or envy ? As to the former, I am not conscious of 
having ever indulged to it against any person in the world : 
neither am I conscious that the latter is allowed or preva- 
lent; though I fear, some risings of it sometimes shew 
themselves, which, I humbly hope, I utterly disallow, and 
sincerely strive against. But, is it not pride ? Verily, I 
have reason to think this is i the sin which does so easily 
beset me !' Well then, O my soul, is it not necessary for 
me to set a diligent watch over this favourite sin ? and may 
it not be useful to consider the several ways by which this 
sin exerts itself, that I may the better guard against it ? — I 
think pride discovers itself very much in angry resentments ; 
chiefly against my servants, for injuries, slights, or neglects, 
whether real or apprehended. Anger seldom rises in me 
against my children, but too often towards my servants. 
How easily is my spirit ruffled by the awkwardness of ser- 
vants, and by their doing business unfaithfully or negligently ! 
though, I hope, not so often, nor so easily, nor to such 
intemperate degrees, as formerly : but, O my soul, let me 
not be partial to myself, nor in the least connive at rash 
anger. 1 was helped, last year, by reading Sibbs' Soul's 
Conflict. My spirit was so tamed, my haughtiness so re- 
proved and brought down, and I gained such a command 
over my humours and passions, for many weeks, that I was 
then convinced, it is possible for me to keep this choleric 
spirit of mine always under a due regulation and a religiouf 
restraint. I may preserve and maintain a calm, quiet, meek 
spirit amidst whatever provocations ; but not without the 
constant exercise of great watchfulness, solemn meditation, 
and fervent prayer : and here I record this testimony against 

G 



82 HIS INCLINATION TO THE MINISTRY. 1733, 

myself, if ever unbridled passions should transport me into 
any indecencies hereafter, — that it is for want of a due exer- 
cise of one or more of these important duties. Pride often 
discovers itself by vain ostentation. Alas ! how much of 
this is found in me. Ostentation of learning amongst men 
of learning ; ostentation of piety amongst pious men ; os- 
tentation of gifts in prayer ; ostentation of being consider- 
able in trade amongst tradesmen ; ostentation of acquaintance 
with gentlemen ; are the kinds and ways in which my pride 
is still too much uncohquered. Oh ! how weak and foolish 
is this. In how ridiculous a light doth this set me in the 
eyes of the judicious ! How much more displeasing to a 
holy God, who requires me to l be clothed with humility !' 

my soul, guard against this vanity ! ' Set a watch/ O 
Lord, ' before my mouth, keep the door of my lips/ 
Doth not pride often discover itself in my thoughts by an 
over-valuing opinion and conceit of myself, my attainments 
and excellencies, my worth and importance? Had I not 
some such workings of mind lately, when one elder than 
myself was called to serve in an office which I expected?* 
Did I not think myself a better, a fitter man than he ? Did 

1 not then entertain fears lest I should not be called next ? 
I endeavoured, indeed, to suppress such workings, and to 
satisfy myself that such and such were elder, and might 
justly be accounted worthy of precedency. Lord, help me 
to mortify all sinful ambition ; and ' in honour to prefer 
others before myself;' and never to be impatient of seeing 
others rising above me in any respect. 

HIS INCLINATION TO THE OFFICE OF THE 
MINISTRY. 
Wednesday, Nwember, 28, 1733. My heart hath now 

* Probably that of a Deacon, as he had become a Trustee, June 6, 
1722. — The Editor endeavoured to ascertain this, but that Church- 
book could not be found ; a circumstance which he regrets. H, 



Mt. 42. HIS INCLINATION TO THE MINISTRY. 83 

been set nearly a twelvemonth, on my entering into the mi- 
nistry. May it not be very seasonable, after just having 
reviewed the preceding article, to inquire — Whether pride 
hath not had a considerable influence in stirring up my 
desires after that holy office ? Many of my neighbours and 
friends, I find, are forward enough to suspect that to be at 
the bottom ; and have not I reason to suspect it myself ? 

I do indeed hope and believe, after many examinations 
of myself, and solemn appeals to him that searcheth my 
heart, that my main, my principal end therein, is the glory 
of God. That compassion for precious, perishing souls, 
and a concern and grief for the want, the apparent want 
thereof in many ministers, were the first springs and motives 
of those desires. But yet, had pride no influence in this 
matter? Do I not esteem more highly of my gifts, and 
knowledge, and utterance, and zeal, than is meet ? And 
have I not just reason to be more suspicious than I have 
been of them ? O my soul, it highly behoves thee to be 
well assured that pride is not at the bottom ; for if it be, I 
cannot expect the approbation, or blessing of God, on 
which success wholly depends. I am certain, at least very 
likely, to suffer considerable worldly loss on this account. 
I expose myself to a load of censure and reproach, and if 
withal I miss of the divine approbation, what work shall I 
make for bitter repentance ! Do I not herein depend too 
much on my own skill, and too little on the divine strength, 
aid, and efficacy, without which I can do nothing? And 
may I not justly fear, that if I should be placed in some 
corner, among a handful of people, and have little success 5 
have little agreeable conversation; and at the same time, 
meet with but little respect, and be straitened in my worldly 
circumstances; I should grow weary of the work, and 
repent the chauge when it will be too late. I should now, 
therefore, well consider the grounds of my inclination to 
the work of the ministry : the reasons I have to hope that 

g 2 



84 THOUGHTS ON APPARITIONS. 17S4. 

I may be more usefal in that, than in my present sphere of 
action : the methods by which I expect and hope, by the 
blessing of God, to win souls for Christ : how I should 
bear the disappointment, if at first setting out, my labours 
should prove unprofitable, and I be slighted, both by 
ministers and people : whether my person as well as minis- 
trations may not fall into contempt, after I may be set over 
a people as their minister, for having been a tradesman : ' 
and whether after all, my labour aud diligence in the work 
of the Church may not prove entirely fruitless ! 

THOUGHTS ON APPARITIONS. 

Thursday evening, November 7, 1734. In the twilight 
this evening I took a solitary walk in the church-yard, there 
to converse a little with the dead. After seriously reflecting 
awhile on my own mortality ; the important change which 
hath passed on all those tabernacles of clay that lie moulder- 
ing there, and which ere long must pass upon mine ; as the 
darkness increased, I felt some approaches of foolish fear, 
and therefore, began to muse on the unreasonableness of 
fearing the sight of apparitions. — What can I possibly 
imagine should appear to me ? It must either be a good 
or a bad angel, or else a separate human spirit ; or, any one 
of those, invested with some visible form. Indeed, the 
visible presence of either of them, but especially the former, 
might well possess my soul with dread and terror. But, 
suppose a good angel should appear to me ; it must be at 
the command of our common Lord, whom, I humbly hope 
I adore and love, though alas ! too faintly, too coolly. 
Such appearance must be under the direction of him, who, 
I humbly hope, is my reconciled God and Father in Christ 
Jesus^ What have I then, to fear from such a messenger ? 
It must come on some wise, some kind and gracious design. 
I doubt not, I have been favoured with the protection of 
such a glorious agent, and have had many kind offices done 






JEt. 42. THOUGHTS ON APPARITIONS. 85 

for me by one or more ministering spirit, who must, there- 
fore, be near me oftentimes, though invisible. I doubt 
not, I have received many a friendly hint from such a gentle 
monitor, respecting both my heavenly and secular calling. 
Do I need then, to fear ; or, why should I tremble at the 
appearance of so benevolent a being, in whose society I 
hope to spend eternal ages ? Do I not firmly believe, — do I 
not know myself to be a dying creature ; that in a little 
time this frame of nature shall be dissolved, and my spirit 
take her flight into the world of spirits ? Have 1 not the 
glorious hope of dwelling for ever in the immediate presence 
of God, and of being for ever happy in the light of his 
countenance ? And doth not the joyful expectation of hav- 
ing ' an innumerable company of angels' for my everlasting 
associates, afford me a delightful prospect ? Why then, 
should the apprehension of such a vision, even in the pre- 
sent state, produce in me any disquieting dread or conster- 
nation ? But, suppose a fallen angel, yea Satan himself, 
should appear to me in as frightful a form as my imagination 
can possibly paint ; do I not believe, and am I not infallibly 
certain, that he can neither assume such a form, nor make 
it visible to me, without the divine permission ? Hath not 
the infinitely wise and good God every one of those cursed 
fiends in his chain ? What then, have I to fear, even from 
those avowed enemies of God, of angels and men, since they 
can do no mischief of any kind, nor hurt any one of God's 
creatures, farther than he useth them as the ministers of his 
vengeance? Holy ' angels, who excel in strength/ exult 
and triumph over all the rage of devils, being superior to 
their malice, and invulnerable by all their hellish darts. 
May I not, therefore, rejoice and confide in thiar — that if 
God be my Father and Friend in Christ, ' greater is he that 
is in me,' and with me, ' than he that is in the world — the 
prince of the power of the air/ that ' roaring lion which 
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour j" Wherever 

g 3 



85 THOUGHTS ON APPARITIONS. 1734-5. 

I am, is not God mgre surely there ? f O Lord of hosts, 
blessed is the man that trusteth in thee/ that sincerely re- 
penteth of every known sin, and by faith and prayer seeks 
to be justified by Christ's righteousness, and to be sanctified 
by the Holy Spirit. i God, who cannot lie, hath promised 
eternal life' to such. Do not these considerations pacify 
my conscience ? What have I then, to fear from Satan ? 
The appearance of a departed soul, assuming and actuating 
some visible form, cannot be more dangerous, nor carry in it 
any thing more terrible, than that of a fallen angel. I have 
certainly a secret prevailing aversion to the sight of one of 
these ; and I doubt not but such a sight, were I alone, and 
apprized what it is, would fill me with unusual consterna- 
tion. Whence doth this proceed ? Is it not, chiefly, from 
the weakness of my faith \ And particularly, from a want 
of conversing more, in my meditations and serious reflec- 
tions, with the inhabitants of the invisible world? How 
necessary is it, in order to a complete preparation for death, 
and an entire victory over it, to get those fears conquered, 
by an overcoming faith in the promises, the power, and the 
presence of God and Christ ! For, when I close my eyes in 
deaths shall I hot immediately open my immortal eyes in 
the world of spirits ? Shall I not then behold new forms ; 
converse with strange, unknown beings ; and find myself 
surrounded with innumerable inhabitants of the ethereal 
regions? How can I hope to keep possession of myself 
then, if I be overwhelmed with the dread of such an ap- 
pearance now ? What helps can I expect or hope then, 
which are not at hand now ? Do I hope for the presence 
of Christ in and after death; and is he not as ready to help or 
relieve his servants in their distresses now ? Do I hope for a 
convoy of angels to attend my fleeting spirit in its passage 
up to the realms of glory ; and are they not sent forth now, 
'to minister to the heirs of salvation?' It is true, those 
heavenly guards are now invisible, who then will be visible 



JEt. 43. PREVALENCE OF PIOUS INCLINATIONS. 87 

to my spiritual sight, and I may then see myself surrounded 
with powerful friends. But, where is now my faith \ Is 
not ' faith the evidence of things not seen:' Have I not 
now a ' sure word' of promise, on which my soul may securely 
rest . ? Fortify thyself, therefore, O my soul, against all 
these groundless fears, f Thy place of defence/ wherever 
thou art, ' shall be' stronger than ' the munition of rocks.' 
Exercise a lively faith on the infallible promises and immu- 
table oath of God. Rest upon the divine all-sufficiency. 
Confide in the presence and protection of God, and Christ, 
and good angels. Keep ' a conscience void of offence/ 
Be much in converse and < communion with the Father and 
his Son Jesus Christ/ Suffer no estrangement of thy heart 
from thy best friend ; but ' commit the keeping of thy soul 
to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator ;' and of thy 
body too, nor doubt his protecting care. 

HOW PIOUS INCLINATIONS BECAME PREVALENT. 

Saturday, February 1, 1735. I am considering how 
far my will governs my affections, passions and practice; and 
how far it is passive, and how far free. When I call to 
mind, what was the habitual, prevailing disposition of my 
mind in my youth ; what an impetuous propensity I had to 
youthful lusts ; what a prevailing sway the love of carnal 
pleasures had over my will and all my powers ; — when I 
farther recollect, by what means the current of my soul was 
altered, and the bias of my will changed ; sometimes by a 
rousing sermon ; sometimes by a seasonable word of advice 
or reproof from my father, or other christian friend ; some- 
times by an awakening providence ; at another time by a 
strong impulse on my mind, disposing me in the most 
serious manner to inquire into the state of my soul, and 
what preparation I had made for death, and how I could 
stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, in case I should 
be called away that day or that night ; which considerations 

G 4 



88 THE DEATH OF A CHILD. 1735. 

sometimes excited m,e to redeem time for reading, and to 
pray earnestly to God for the pardon of my sins, and for a 
renewed heart : I say, when I call to mind these things, and 
how a love to God and Christ, and holiness, gradually 
obtained an ascendancy in my soul, I cannot but ascribe 
that wonderful change wrought upon my will, and the 
various steps towards it, to the free grace of God, and the 
powerful influences of the Holy Spirit, But, must I there- 
fore conclude, that in every individual act of mine, I am 
merely actuated by some superior, invisible power? Or, 
that in every religious act, so far as it is done agreeably to 
the will of God, I am influenced by the same good Spirit, 
whose assistance or agency is at other times withheld, or 
afforded in a lower measure or degree f Doth the dif- 
ference, the great and wide difference, I find in the frame 
of my heart in religious exercises, at one time and another, 
proceed merely from the difference of supernatural aid? 
Doth it not in some measure, arise from the difference of 
my own actual preparation for the duty before-hand, or 
from a difference in my active exertion of my rational 
powers in the work ? Doth that better preparation itself 
proceed from some superior agent ? Who shall solve these 
difficulties ? Be thou diligent, O my soul, to ' work out 
thy own salvation with fear and trembling ;' and so much 
the rather, because ( it is God that worketh in thee both to 
will and to do of his good pleasure.' 

THE DEATH OF A CHILD. 

Wednesday, June 4, 1735. This morning my dear, my 
fondly-beloved Hannah took her flight. # I would now be 
found inquiring seriously, how I shall improve this severe 
dispensation of Providence, and what considerations may 
be of use to reconcile my mind to it. — As the creature and 
property of God, may he not do with my child what he 

* She was born July 26, 173 1. 



&t. 43. THE DEATH OF A CHILD. 89 

will ? I have no prevailing doubt that she is ' fallen asleep 
in Jesus/ My gracious and good God enabled me to 
devote her to him in baptism, as well as many times since, 
and particularly very often in her last illness. I hope, I 
have been upright and sincere in dedicating her to God. 
I hope I have been truly earnest and fervent in my prayers 
and supplications to God for her life, if it were agreeable 
to his blessed will ; and that, if Infinite Wisdom had other- 
wise determined, she might be ready for her great change. 
If I have reason to hope, that, in my measure, I have been 
faithful in the discharge of my duty, surely I have no reason 
to distrust the goodness and faithfulness of God, and his 
readiness to shew mercy. When our Lord says — ' Suffer 
little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of 
such is the kingdom of heaven/ I understand him to mean, 
both, that little children are capable of receiving benefit by 
Christ ; and, that the submission, humility, and meekness 
usually found in little children — in opposition to the pride, 
self-conceit, and self-confidence too generally prevalent in 
adult persons — is the temper of the gospel, the temper of 
all its disciples, the temper susceptible of religious impres- 
sions, and the temper which the Holy Spirit forms in the 
heart, to constitute persons proper subjects of the Re- 
deemer's kingdom. May I not from hence derive some 
hope concerning my dear child's eternal state! How snb- 
missive and obliging were her general temper and behaviour ! 
How dutiful to her parents ! How ready to comply with 
the will and inclinations of her sisters ! How studious to 
please ! How tender of sinning I What indignation hath 
she often discovered, when her school-fellows have uttered 
profane words ! What a measure of the fear of God, and 
even of trust in him, did she discover, when, at three years 
old, in a storm of thnnder and lightning, she once and again, 
of her own accord, had recourse to prayer ! Can I doubt 
of the grace of God in her, or that she reaps no advantage 




90 THE DEATH OF A CHILD. 1735. 

from a Redeemer ? i Shall we receive good at the hands of 
the Lord, and shall we not also receive evil ?' He hath not 
< written us childless.' i Thou, Lord, hast punished us less 
than our iniquities deserve/ 

Hath death, with awful terrors arm'd, 

Been waiting at the door ; 
And, ravishM hence a pleasant babe, 

Whose charms delight no more ? 

How shall we bear the smarting stroke 

With a submissive frame ? 
How, well improve the providence, 

And profit by the same ? 

Lord, 'tis thy hand, thy sov'reign pow'f 

Form 'd the dear living bust; 
The holy, just, almighty Word 

Commands her flesh to dust. 

Far heavier strokes our sins deserve. 

If thou shouldst be severe ; 
Patient, submissive, all-resign'd, 

Thy just rebuke we'll bear. 

What tho ? the lovely mortal die, 

And perish from our sight ! 
By faith we trace the nobler mind 

Up to the worlds of light. 

See the great Judge, with aspect mild, 

With pleasure in his face, 
Welcome and hail the new-come guest, 

While Heav'n applauds the grace. 

See kindred minds, who went before, 

Triumphant flock around, 
While to their golden harps they sing 

Tunes of immortal sound. 



JEt. 43. MEDITATION AMONG THE TOMBS. 91 

Oh ! may we keep th' ethereal road, 

Led on by grace divine ; 
Then shall we quickly go to them, 

And in their praises join. # 

MEDITATION AMONG THE TOMBS. 

Saturday, September 27, 1735. After an evening walk 
in the church-yard, what a sight have I had ! A field set 
thick with monuments of the dead. Yet there are but few 
monuments, compared with the number of the dead that 
lie there : most of those stones were erected since my re- 
membrance ; and perhaps, not one stone for 20, 30, or 40 
that have been buried. What a crowded spot will this be 
at the resurrection ! What a plentiful harvest will it yield ! 
Numerous, though not numberless. Every individual is 
known to the Lord the Judge. Every name is registered in his 
book of remembrance. Not one shall stay behind in the grave. 
Not one will be missing, whose bones have been deposited 
here. How numerous will the colony be, which will be 
gathered from Kidderminster church-yard ! Suppose this 
island of Great Britain not to have been peopled till 500 
years after the Flood, and that 100 have been buried here, 
every year, one year with another ; from that period, it will 
amount, in the space of 3,500 years, to an army of 350,000. 
If such a parish as this may be supposed to yield so many, 
what will Great Britain and Ireland produce ? If I reckon 
this parish, either as to its extent, or number of inhabitants, 
to be about the thousandth part of these three kingdoms, I 
may compute the three kingdoms to yield, in 3,500 years, 
at least three hundred and fifty millions. What then, will 
the product of these islands be, during such a period, com- 

* These lines were printed m the Gentleman's Magazine for July 
1739, signed «? Mechanus." 



§2 MEDITATION AMONG THE TOMBS. 1735-6. 

pared with that of the* whole earth ? May I not suppose 
all the dead of the whole earth, within the said 3,500 years 
to be more than twenty thousand millions ? Now, O my 
soul, stretch thine imagination to the utmost, and consider — - 
how boundless is that mind, how infinite that understand- 
ing, which perfectly knows and recollects every individual of 
mankind, with the thoughts, words, and actions of each ; 
the time of their births, the length of their days, all the 
transactions of their lives, and the time, manner, and cir- 
cumstances of their deaths. How easily can he separate 
and collect their scattered atoms ! What work will this be 
for almighty creating Power, to rebuild their ruined taber- 
nacles, and forvp them spiritual and immortal ! What busy 
work, for glorious angels, to collect this vast assembly, and 
present them before the universal Judge ! but, when I con- 
sider holy angels as ' ten thousand times ten thousand, and 
thousands of thousands/— perhaps, as many as one hun- 
dredth part of the whole human race ; this thought tends to 
facilitate my conception of the ease and regularity of such 
collection. The word of God assures us, that ' the dead in 
Christ shall rise first/ The sleeping dust of saints alone, 
shall hear the first blast of the archangel's trumpet, and 
awake to joyful life. With what rapture will such awakened 
saints behold their exalted Redeemer, ' who loved them un- 
to the death/ and ' whom having not seen they loved !' How 
happy the re-union between the myriads of perfect spirits, 
which God will bring with him, and the bodies which they 
laid down so pale, squalid and ghastly, — or were torn from 
them by torturing racks, or consuming flames ; but, which are 
now refined, adorned and beautified ! How will each glo- 
rified spirit admire its own comely form, and say of its 
divine clothing — Oh ! the change from what I once was. 
Whatever remembrance they will, have of their former 
meanness and misery, their former pollution and guilt, yet, 
all tormenting sense of them will be for ever banished. Will 



JEt. 44. PIOUS FRIENDSHIP. 93 

their smiling Judge upbraid them with their past fickleness 
and inconstancy, their lukewarmness in his service, their 
manifold backslidings, — their pusillanimity and want of zeal 
in his cause ? Rather, will not infinite i charity cover the 
multitude of their sins f How will they then know more 
sensibly than ever, that all the glory with which they are 
invested, is the effect of boundless grace ! Oh ! how trium- 
phant their joy ! to find that all this glory, with its never- 
ending progress and increase, was i prepared for them from 
the foundation of the world/ 

PIOUS FRIENDSHIP. 

11 Damon to Pythias' 1 * 

" While far from toils your Damon sits secur'd, 
u From ruffling storms and rattling hail immur'd ; 
u While easy slumbers bless my downy bed, 
" And friends and health their softest influence shed; 
" While glowing fires correct th' inclement sky, 
" And wife and children with their charms sit by ; 
" Pathetic thoughts my Pythias still pursue, 
" Whom storms attack, and northern winds pierce through. 

" The muse e'en shudders, while she would rehearse 
11 The toils you bear; and rigours fill the verse. 
" Fain would she follow, with her wings outspread, -\ 

" Fond of encircling that important head, y 

" And thinks she still could follow where you lead. ) 

" But, ah ! such flights her fancied pow'r exceeds ; 
M Affection prompts, but stronger wings she needs. 

* His brother Pearsall, under the character of Damon, addressed Mr. 
W. under that of Pythias, while he was on his north journey in Feb- 
ruary, 1736, to whom Mr. Williams replied soon after his return. The 
former, was inserted in the Gentleman's Magazine for March, and the 
latter, for May, 1736. 



94 PIOUS FRIENDSHIP. 1736. 

" Forward she springs to join her absent friend, 

w Eager through all his traveling toils t' attend : 

" But see, she struggling droops ; with langour bends; 

" Her sanguine hope in disappointment ends. 

" Yet, while I mourn the dreary wastes you tread, 
" Pause on your storms without a friendly sha^e ; 
" While full of fears the spreading floods I view, 
" And sympathizing tears my cheeks bedew ; 
" While exhalations clog the ambient air, 
" And on their wings unwholesome vapours bear ; 
" While o'er the lonesome rocks and vales you pass, 
" O'erspread with frosts, and slippery as glass; 
" With bended knees my ardent vows ascend, 
" That guardian angels may your steps attend ; 
" In all your dangers lend their friendly arms, 
" To guide your doubtful way secure from harms. 
" When nature sickens, and the god of day 
" Is found too weak to drive the fogs away, 
" May these kind guards their friendly wings o'erspread, 
" Defend, support, and cheer your drooping head ; 
" Bid storms subside ; let zephyrs only rise, 
" With balmy wings to fan the foggy skies, 

" In vain the infant Spring its beauties sheds, 
" In vain sits brooding on the flow'ry beds ; 
" Flora in vain enamels all my ground; 
" In vain the primrose spreads its fragrance round; 
" In vain the violet, with its beauteous hue, \ 

" Peeps out of nature's womb in mantle blue : — v 

" All this is nothing, till I hear of you. v 

u What though the airy songsters tune their throats, 
" And court mine ear with their once charming notes I 



JEt. 44. PIOUS FRIENDSHIP. 95 

* What though the lambkins, innocent and gay, 
u Frisk round me, and untaught, their gambols play ? 
" Methinks 'tis winter still, while sad, I mourn 
" My Pythias still protracts his wish'd return." 

Pythias to Damon. 

From toilsome travels safe returned at last, 
The boist'rous storms and threat'ning dangers past, 
Warm in th' embraces of my dear lov'd spouse, 
(Heav'n's gift, propitious to my youthful vows), 
And fondly welcom'd, on my safe return, 
By my sweet babes, whose transports mutual burn ; 
To gentle Damon, Pythias greeting sends, 
Charm'd with that love which to my toils attends. 
The muse e'en triumphs, with such friendship blest, 
Which lays the storms, and calms my ruffled breast. 
Such pious friendship ! whence devotion springs, 
And, from above, the needful succour brings. 
Heav'n heard your vows, and gave me strength to bear 
The piercing regions of th' inclement air. 

How could my Damon whom Roefido* loves, 
Whose lays the matchless Philomel^ approves, 
To rustic Pythias humbly condescend, 
And generous love, where merit fails, extend ? 
Blest day ! when pleasing bands our hearts ally'd, 
Made you a brother, Phebe made my bride. 

But, what are nature's bands, or ties of blood, 
What the precarious ties of brotherhood, 
To friendship's sacred cement, sweet and strong, 
Whose close attraction draws the soul along ? 

* Mrs. Pearsall ; she was a Miss Philipps of Bromyard, and the Rev. 

■ Philipps, of Newbury, was her brother, 

t Mrs. Iiowe, 




96 PIOUS FRIENDSHIP. 1736. 

When with my Damon's graceful presence blest, 

My soul exults, and hails the welcome guest. 

Your cordial speech my drooping spirit cheers, 

Renews my courage, and dispels my fears, 

My thinking pow'rs on nobler themes employs, 

Inflames my love, and animates my joys. 

So the parch'd earth, refresh'd by gentle show'rs, 

Smiles, and more glad, displays the op'ning flowVs. 

Your absence chills my heart, but while I weep, 

Your letters come, and all my sorrows sleep. 

What wit, what beauty, truth, and goodness shine I 

What love pathetic, in each tuneful line! 

My muse, with feeble voice, attempts in vain 

To sing your friendship with an equal strain. 

My doors, to men of virtue, open stand, 

My choicest stores, myself, they may command ; 

But to my friend, I'll open e'en my heart; 

To you, the secrets of my soul impart; 

I'll tell you all my state, you'll sooth my woes; 

Your balmy lips my bleeding wounds shall close* 

Solve all my doubts, my thrilling griefs allay, 

Improve my joys, and chase sad cares away. 

Oh! how I long t' embrace my absent friend. *j 

Fly swift, ye hours! my Damon to me send. ■: 

Full twenty moons the tiresome distance tell, 

Since parting hence, you bade a dear farewell. 

But now, the wintry storms are over-blown, 

The chilling snows, and rigid frosts are gone ; 

Boon nature now exerts her genial pow'rs, 

The verdant fields are deck'd with fragrant flow'rs ; 

New prospects in succession court your eyes, 

Trees in full blossom, and of various dyes ; 

Unnumber'd beauties shall rejoice and smile, 

And charming Sylvan scenes your steps beguile ; 

The warbling birds shall cheer the lonesome glade. 

And ev'rv ev'ninsf chant a serenade* 



JEt. 44. VERSES TO A FRIEND. 97 

Your friends impatient chide your ling'ring stay, 
Then haste, my Damon, haste, and come away. 

SELF-EXHORTATION. 

Lord's-day, June 6, 1736. I am going to God's-house, 
and when there, to his table. Ah! how unfit, how unsuit- 
able is the frame of my soul for the solemnities thereof. I 
have great reason to lament the coldness of my love, and of 
my desires after God and Christ. Something I have done 
toward examining myself, my state God-ward; but oh! how 
much do I find amiss in my heart and my will. While en- 
deavouring to pray to God, how dry, how barren, was I ! 
Yet I do believe that Christ hath loved me, and given him- 
self for me. Oh ! how much hath he done for me. Look 
back my soul, to the days of thy youth, the years of thj 
vanity. What powerful restraints did Christ lay, by his good 
Spirit, on my carnal appetite! How sweet, frequent ex- 
perience have I had of his distinguishing grace working 
powerfully and effectually on me! How did he constrain 
•me to love him, and to devote myself, entirely, sincerely, to him, 
when others were left to walk in the ways of their own 
hearts! and shall I not love him? What rich and large ex- 
perience have I had, through my whole life, of his all-wise 
conduct and rich bounty toward me ! and have I nothing 
to return for all this? — Come, O my soul, stir up the 
grace that is within thee ; ' prepare to meet thy God :' and 
oh ! be sure to be very diligent and sincere in thy intercourse 
with him this day. 

VERSES TO A FRIEND RECOVERED FROM ILLNESS. 

To Mr. John Cooper. # 

Believe me, Sir, 'twas sad, 'twas shocking news, 
The sudden anguish wrung my inmost soul — 

* These verses Were inserted in the Gentleman's Magazine for 
August, if 36. The Rev. R, Pearsall, in a letter dated Sept, %% 

H 



98 VERSES TO A FRIENt?. 1736. 

" Your friead Alexis dies !" 
Through ev'ry vein the thrilling accents roll ; 
I'm struck with infinite surprise ; 
Whilst sympathizing tears my gushing eyes suffuse. 

The dear Alexis die ! my joy, my friend ! 
Kind Heav'n avert the fatal stroke, 
That precious life restore ; 
The rigid sentence, mighty grace ! revoke, 
On bended knees the mercy we implore, 
Let mercy from on high the needful succour send, 

Indulgent Heav'n regards our humble vows : 
Joy to my heart ! thy threat'ning pains surcease ; 

The dear Alexis lives ! 
That languid pale which sat upon his brows- 
Retires, whilst rosy tinctures now increase, 
And in his sparkling eyes the lamp of life revives. 

Ah ! wisely yet revolve this solemn thought — 
" Had racking pangs prevail'd, and death ensu'd, 

" Where had my soul been found ?" 
Life is the time when pardon must be sought : 
Death and the grave repentance quite exclude ; 
There's no device, nor work, nor wisdom under ground. 

Think, when you felt your strength and spirits fail, 
And lay convuls'd in agonizing pain, 
With death in dreaded view ; 



addressed to Mr. W. has these remarks : — " I am glad you could send 
'* me word of Mr, Cooper's recovery, at the same time you gave the 
is account of his extreme sickness. I thank you for transmitting a 
" copy of the liues you so well composed on that occasion. The strong, 
il sense, the manly and handsome language, the attractive sweetness 
" and friendship, with the lively piety, which run through all, must 
" recommend them to those who are proper judges." Mr. C. was of 
the medical profession, and formerly of Bromsgrove, but afterward 
of Kidderminster. 



^.45. HIS LIFE THREATENED. 99 

How little then could pomp or wealth avail ! 
Earth's fond delights and sensual joys how vain, 

When th' ever-parting soul must bid them all adieu ! 

Reflect, what cheer'd you most in that distress ; 
What sins the trembling conscience most appall'd ; 

What were your hopes and fears ? 
How gladly time mispent you wish'd recall'd ; 
What did you seek ; what count your happiness ; 
And what resolve, if spar'd to future months or years I 

Come then ; what work remains for life to do ; 
Whate'er is wanting in your faith or love 

To crown your hope, your joy ; 
With utmost might and doubled strength pursue : 
Let no delay the stedfast purpose move, 
Nor worldly charms or cares your heav'nly zeal alloy. 

HIS LIFE THREATENED, AND HIS CONDUCT 
THEREON. 

Lord's-day, December 5, 1736. Having had a letter 
thrust in at my window last night, wherein my life is threat- 
ened, on account of the share I have had in endeavouring 
to regulate and reduce the price of spinning in this town 
and neighbourhood ; and not knowing what may be in the 
womb of providence ; how far the all-wise God may leave 
such wicked person or persons to his or their wicked devices, 
or what ends infinite Wisdom may have to accomplish by 
permitting me to fall a sacrifice to popular rage, I think it 
highly proper, seriously to inquire — What preparation I have 
made for eternity. 

I will, first, set down my thoughts, my deliberate judg- 
ment on the design of regulating and reducing the price of 
spinning. I have, indeed, said enough in the printed paper* 
entitled — " The true state of the Stuff-trade," to make it 

H2 



100 HIS Ll£E THREATENED. "* 1/36, 

appear not only a just twit laudable undertaking, in the judg- 
ment of disinterested persons, and I see no reason yet to 
alter my opinion of any thing therein ; especially, when I 
consider that there are as many goods of our description 
now made in other places, as seem to me sufficient to 
answer all the demands for such goods. Indeed, unless 
we can sell as cheaply as our competitors we must lose our 
share of the trade, which will take place if the price of 
spinning be not proportionable. But then, although the 
trade continue to decline, seeing that my life is threatened — * 
Whether should I not, to save it, set myself to reverse the 
measures already taken ? It is true, necessity may in time 
enforce a compliance with the measure of reduction ; but 
more particularly to find out my own duty in this matter, it 
may be proper to consider the threat either as an empty 
menace to intimidate me, or as the certain resolution of 
some desperado, who will not fail to endeavour to execute 
his purpose : In the former case it merits no regard ; in the 
latter, I may conclude either that he will or will not be 
permitted to effect his purpose. Could I conclude that 
if I do not act according to his direction I should certainly 
be murdered, then I am clear in my judgment that I ought 
to comply with him ; for I ought to use all lawful means to 
preserve my own life and the life of others. I owe the pre- 
servation of my life as a duty to my wife and children. The 
affair is no more mine than that of the whole town, there- 
fore I am not called on to set my life in the front of danger, 
and I have reason to hope I can benefit my family by other 
means, though I am afraid there are numbers who cannot. 
As, however, I know not how this threat may terminate, I 
will proceed to the grand inquiry ; an inquiry of everlast- 
ing importance. } 

I have in the course of the last twenty-six years frequently 
examined my heart and life by the rule of God's word, and 
by the characters there laid down, both of the righteous and 



jEt. 45. HIS LIFE THREATENED. 101 

of the wicked. I have frequently and carefully examined 
the general, prevailing temper of my mind ; and, on the 
whole, through free grace, I find that although there is still 
a corrupt principle within, much vanity, and oftentimes a 
backwardness to private and public duties, yet that in the 
prevailing disposition of my mind, in my deliberate choice 
and estimation, I do love God, and value his favour above all 
the riches, honours, and pleasures of this world. I esteem 
those my choicest seasons wherein I have most of the divine 
presence, most of his aid, influence, and agency ; and my 
highest, everlasting hopes are laid up in God. The getting 
of riches on earth is nothing to me in comparison with the 
laying up for myself ' treasures in heaven/ To live in the 
blissful vision and fruition of God in glory ; — in the constant 
exercise of holy dispositions ; a perfect, exalted delight in 
God as my God and Father, and in Christ as my Lord and 
Saviour; — the most exalted thankfulness and high praises for 
distinguishing grace, redeeming love, and all the innumer- 
able favours heaped on me ever since I had a being ; — the 
exercise of sacred joy, in humbly admiring and celebrating 
his glorious perfections, searching into his infinite works of 
wonder, wisdom, power, and love ; in tracing the footsteps 
of redeeming grace to believers in general, and in particular 
to my own soul ; — and all this in the blissful society of glorious, 
refined, exalted spirits, both angels and saints ; together with 
sensible communications of life, light, love, and joy from 
Him that sitteth on the throne; is all the heaven I hope for, 
and in which my highest expectation and hope of future 
happiness center. I well remember when the prevailing 
temper of my mind was the very reverse to this : when, not- 
withstanding a serious education and frequent convictions, 
sin had possession of my soul, and lorded over my whole man ; 
then, religious duties were matter of my greatest aversion, 
but now I can trace the leadings of almighty Love in renew* 

h 3 



102 HIS llFE THREATENED. 1736-7- 

ing my soul and changing the bias of my will. I can trace 
the gradations by which, in the course of many years, the 
work was carried on from a state of deep distress and 
almost overwhelming fear, to a well-grounded hope and joy- 
ful assurance. I have frequently and conscientiously exa- 
mined the general course, as well as the particular actions 
of my life, and although the gaiety of my temper hath be- 
trayed me into a thousand vain expressions, and the quick - 
ness of it hath often hurried me on in passion to ' speak un- 
advisedly with my lips/ and to do many things which 1 can- 
not justify, yet I humbly hope there is no sin through the 
whole course of my life unrepented of. It is my daily, 
habitual care and endeavour in all things to approve myself 
to him that searcheth my heart ; ' to do justly, and to love 
mercy, and to walk humbly with my God/ Though my 
obedience hath been very imperfect it hath been sincere, 
and will be accepted of God, through the meritorious 
righteousness and atoning sacrifice of my Redeemer, to 
whom I fly, and in whom alone I trust for justification, and 
for eternal life : — ' for I know that my Redeemer liveth, and 
that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth ; and 
though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my 
flesh shall I see God/ I can at present conceive but little 
of the employment and joy of celestial spirits, yet this I 
know, and it is enough, — that when he who is my Lord and 
my life, whom I have loved unseen and served sincerely, 
though very imperfectly, ' shall appear, then shall I also 
appear with him in glory/ Blessed, therefore, for ever 
* blessed be the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, 
which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten me 
again unto a lively hope/ ' to an inheritance incorruptible, 
and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven 
for me/ ' and not for me only, but for all them that love 
his appearing/ Amen, and amen, 



jEt.45. GOD OR THE WORLD, HIS PORTION? 10$ 

WHETHER GOD OR THE WORLD WERE HIS 
PORTION ? 

Lords-day, July 24, 1737. After hearing a discourse 
by Mr. Bradshaw, on the Psalmist's inquiry and determina- 
tion — ' Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none 
upon earth that I desire besides thee ;' inquire thou, O my 
soul, and inquire with the greatest strictness and impartiality. 
This is a matter on which depends my present comfort and 
everlasting happiness. To deceive myself in this important 
concern, is putting the worst cheat that is possible on 
myself. What a dreadful surprise must it be to the soul 
that hath deluded itself with vain hopes, even unto the hour 
of its departure hence, to meet a frowning God, and hear 
that stunning accent — ' I know you not whence you are, 
depart from me ?' Therefore, O my soul, search diligently : 
examine well thy evidences. Let conscience speak freely ; 
I hope, it is rightly informed ; bribe it not into silence ; nor 
pervert it to give a false evidence, either by palliating thy 
sins and corruptions, or magnifying thy good works and 
dispositions. 

What is my heart set most upon : this world, or God ? I 
must not dissemble or deny, that a care for and delight in 
my wife and children, a care to make the best advantage of 
my trade, and to render my present life easy and pleasant, 
have most of my thoughts. Yet, I humbly hope, yea, 
surely in this I may be confident, by the experience now of 
twenty-seven years, but more remarkably of the last twelve 
years, — that the love and favour of God are what I prize above 
all things ; that to ' walk in the light of his countenance/ 
is the highest felicity 1 either enjoy, or hope for, in the pre- 
sent state ; and to dwell for ever in his glorious presence > 
is the highest of my future hopes and expectations. Though 
my conscience blames me for many defects in my obedience, 

H 4 



104 GOD OR THE WORLD, HIS PORTION? 1737 

and care to please G(5d '; though it reproaches me for many 
omissions of secret duty, and many sad neglects in the per- 
formance of duties of every kind ; all which may justly lead 
me to call in question the sincerity and predominance of my 
love to God ; yet, it also witnesseth, that in general I am 
more solicitous to please God than any besides him ; and 
that I never have such enjoyment of myself, as when I do 
the things that please him ; nor any joy like that which flows 
from a sense of his approbation and love. In all my wants, 
I fly to him for supply ; in all my perplexities, I seek to 
him for counsel; in every distress, he is my refuge and 
strength. Under all my pains and indispositions of body, 
my hope, my help is in the great Physician ; I look unto 
him as the first cause ; observe his hand in appointing, di- 
recting, and limiting them ; and endeavour humbly to inquire 
into the meaning and design of them, and l - wherefore God con- 
tended with me.' In like manner, would I be found eyeing 
the hand of God in every loss, whether in trade, or by the 
death of a child, or other dear relation. When viewed in 
that light, I may truly say, it hath never been very difficult 
to submit, how severe soever afflictions have been, and 
whatsoever their kind. I have found my faith in him — a 
sense of his love — and a prevailing hope that he is my God 
— a full support under my greatest burdens. I have enjoyed a 
satisfying assurance, that if I were stripped of every worldly 
good, I might possess all in him alone. Conscience is my 
witness, that now, in the fulness of worldly good things, and 
in the prospect of making some considerable provision 
for my family, I would be found referring my prosperity to 
his blessing on my endeavours. Frequently my heart is 
lifted up in thankfulness to my bountiful Benefactor. It is 
matter of grief to me, when I want the cheering tokens of 
his gracious presence, and the quickening influences of his 
good Spirit : but, when ' his love is shed abroad in my 
heart/ (and blessed be his name, many such delicious re*? 



&t. 45. GOD OR THE WORLD, HIS PORTION*? 105 

pasts he hath indulged me with) the sense of it eclipses all 
the beauties and glories of the world in my esteem. I can 
say with Dr. Watts — 

" One gracious smile, my God, from thee, 
i( One kind, forgiving word, 

" Is more than all the world to me, 
u 'Twill greater joy afford." 
From all whicli, I cannot but hope, my heart is set most 
upon God. 

What is the main design and business of my life ? Any 
common spectator, who only sees and hears my general 
conversation, could not see reason to conclude, that 1 
minded any thing so much as the profits and pleasures of 
this life. I must confess, they have too much of my heart, 
they occupy too much of my time and thoughts: yet, me- 
thinks I would be found living for, and chiefly intending a 
nobler end than sensual gratifications. I cannot say, that 
my active obedience and service, my exercise of self-denial 
and mortification on all proper occasions, do so clearly 
evince, as I could wish, that the glory of God is the main 
end of my life ; but, though the evidence be too obscure, I 
cannot but hope nevertheless, that I have no other end, 
which sways so much with me. It is the grief of my soul, 
when I reflect on any thing I have done to displease God, 
or dishonour his holy religion. ' My sorrow is stirred/ 
when I sometimes observe the ignorance and wickedness of 
others, and more especially if I see the Lord's-day, or hear 
the Lord's name profaned. It is a pleasure to me, when I 
have an opportunity of doing good to others, and especially 
to those 'of the household of faith.' I think I have often 
found, that I should be content to be poor, to be despised, 
to suffer the loss of all things, yea, to be as severely tried as 
Job was, if it were the will of God, and that I might 
have grace equal to my day, and a revenue of glory might 
arise to the great Author of my being. I find I can freely 



106 DEVOUT RETIREMENT FROM THE WORLD. 1737, 

part with my money to feed the poor, or to support the in- 
terest of the gospel, and bless God for enabling me * to give 
willingly/ I have not for many years been solicitous for 
long life, but have kept my end much in view, and looked 
upon preparation for death as the great business of life, and, 
though very defective, I hope I have been sincere therein. 
Desirous of some competent provision for my family, in 
case I should be taken away from them, yet I am not con- 
scious of any great solicitude about it, having experienced 
in myself, my brothers, and sisters, that God can and will 
provide for us, if we be found in the way of duty. But I 
would be chiefly solicitous to train up my children in the 
fear of God ; * to see Christ formed in them/ and leave a 
divine blessing entailed upon them. From all which, I 
would humbly hope, that it is the main end and business of 
my life to please and glorify God. 

And now, which would I rather part with, God or the 
the world ? In this, I think I can be more clear and 
certain. Indeed, how I should stand l the fiery trial/ were 
I called to it, is hard to say. The thought of it is terrible : 
but God is all-sufficient ; and, from the experience I have 
had of divine consolations, 1 am well assured he is able to 
bear up the fainting spirit under the severest torments, to 
which this flesh of mine can be exposed. As for giving up 
a good trade, rather than a good conscience, or parting with 
riches, honours, pleasures, wife, children, and all my dearest 
earthly enjoyments, I humbly hope, the case is more plain ; 
yea, that * I can do all things through Christ which strength- 
ened me.' I desire to ascribe the glory and praise of all 
attainments to the free grace of God in Christ, acknowledg- 
ing that 'by the grace of God 1 am what I am. 5 

DEVOUT RETIREMENT FROM THE WORLD. 

Saturday evening, July 30, 1737. Retire now, O my 
soul, from a noisy, busy world, a world of various employ- 



Mt. 45. DEVOUT RETIREMENT FROM THE WORLD. 107 
ments and manifold temptations, to converse a little with 
thyself. How dear, O my soul, should thy interests be to 
me ; how much more so, than the interests of my body ! I 
have done something these two or three last weeks, which 
I have reason to believe will conduce much to my worldly 
advantage, and how much am I pleased with the thought ! 
I have heard this week something, which will probably 
be very prejudicial to my worldly interests, and how many 
contrivances have I had to prevent the evils apprehended ! 
Now, is not my soul's prosperity or adversity of greater mo- 
ment to me ? I shall be judged one day by him J who 
trieth the reins and hearts, who will render to every man ac- 
cording to his works/ and can I be unconcerned how I 
shall pass the solemn test ? Am I not conscious of many 
defects in the government of my passions, in the temper of 
my heart, and in my behaviour both towards God and man? 
How then, shall I stand to have my whole life impartially 
sifted, examined, and laid open ? I flee to the blood of 
atonement, and humbly seek shelter and refuge from devour- 
iug wrath, in the bosom of my all-sufficient Saviour. I 
know ' he is able to save to the uttermost all that come 
unto God through him :' I know that his compassion is 
equal to his power, ' for he will not break the bruised reed.' 
Yet, I cannot but fear, lest in the day of trial my faith 
should fail. Sometimes I have had such a lively sense and 
convincing evidence of his power, goodness, and faithful- 
ness, as also of my interest in him, that I have thought I 
could have sung with as much cheerfulness as good old 
Simeon — ' Now let thy servant depart in peace.' Soon have 
I been convinced, that my strength and courage rise or fall 
in proportion to divine aids ; that ' it is God who strengthens 
me with might by his Spirit in the inner man ;' and that 
1 without Christ I can do nothing.' Rest thyself, therefore, 
O my soul, at all times, upon his grace, ! who is able to 



108 GOD TERRIBLE TO GUILTY SOULS. 1737- 

keep thee from falling, and to preserve thee blameless unto 
his heavenly kingdom/ 

GOD TERRIBLE TO GUILTY SOULS. 
Lord's-dag, July 31, 1737. I have been hearing the 
terrors of the divine Majesty to guilty souls represented, by 
Mr. Bradshaw, from these words of Job — 'Therefore am I 
troubled at his presence, when I consider, I am afraid of 
him/ Now, my soul, What is thy temper ? I fear this great 
and terrible Majesty : I fear him for his greatness, who is 
able to cast me, both body and soul, into hell, and might 
have justly done so long since. I can say, the fear of him 
doth, in some measure, swallow up all other fear. Though 
I must acknowledge, the fear of man, the fear of shame, and 
the fear of temporal loss, have often proved a great snare to 
me ; yet, so far as I remember, I can say, and to the glory 
of God be it spoken, when the sin was obvious, the guilt 
evident, into which such meaner fear would have betrayed 
me, then, on the contrary, the fear of God, the fear of dis- 
pleasing and dishonouring him, hath been found the supe- 
rior, the predominant principle in my soul. My courage 
and zeal have been enabled to trample upon all opposition 
and scorn, in the face of apparent danger, for the cause of 
God, of virtue, and religion. I hope, I can also say, I fear 
him for his goodness. A sense of gratitude to him is an ob- 
ligation upon me. I have had such tastes, such experience 
of his goodness and grace, that I fear doing any thing to 
forfeit his gracious presence, and cause him to withdraw 
from me : I fear doing any thing to grieve his Holy Spirit, 
and prevent his cheering and quickening influences : I fear 
doing any thing to wound or waste my conscience, interrupt 
my peace with God, or make me shy of his presence. I 
hope this is the prevailing bent of my soul : yet, alas I I fre- 
quently, I daily do things of a contrary tendency. How 
often do I omit, or slightly and hastily perform the duties 



Mt.Ao. GOD TERRIBLE TO GUILTY SOULS. 109 

of the closet ; by which, chiefly, the life and vigour of reli- 
gion are cherished and maintained ! May I be more dili- 
gent for the future to redeem time for secret devotion! 
The Spirit of God delights in a quiet, a meek and humble 
soul ; but how often do I suffer little provocations to ruffle 
me, and how easily do my keen and angry passions catch 
fire ! May I better rule my own spirit for the future ! 
May I be enabled to maintain a constant, habitual sense of 
the divine presence and observation, to keep me always in 
a composed frame ! Time is a choice jewel, a valuable 
talent, every minute of which should be well improved; 
but how much of it do I suffer to run to waste ; and spend 
in unprofitable amusements, what should be spent in con- 
verse with God, in communing with my own heart, and 
even in looking diligently into the concerns of trade ! 
Others may suspect me of too much eagerness in worldly 
pursuits, while I am conscious of too much slackness. 
May I henceforward be quickened to greater care and dili- 
gence to divide my time aright, and improve it to all valu- 
able purposes ! When tempted any way to neglect present 
duty, may the same principle that swayed with good Nehe- 
miah, sway with me — ' So did not I, because of the fear 
of the Lord.' It is for want of consideration that men are 
not afraid of God. Did they duly consider God and them- 
selves ; did they consider the awful perfections of God, his 
irresistible power, his spotless holiness, and his inflexible 
justice ; did they consider, that sin is highly provoking to 
him ; did they consider, that he is every where, and take?! 
notice of all their actions ; did they at the same time consi^ 
der their own guilt, which exposes them to the displeasure 
of God, and the terrors of his wrath, which extend to alt 
our enjoyments, and even reach to our souls, and can wound 
them with insupportable distress, and that all the world can- 
not support or relieve us under his anger, but that it will 
pursue us to all eternity ;— did they duly consider these 



110 GROWTH IN GRACE. 1737. 

things, how would they fear before him ! How would ' his 
excellency make them afraid, and his dread fall upon them V 

GROWTH IN GRACE. 

Lord's-day, September IB, 1737. 'But grow in grace/ 
was the subject of this day's discourse, by Mr. Bradshaw^ 
And now, O my soul, what are thy reflections ? Certainly, 
I have felt the quickening influences of the Holy Spirit in 
numberless instances. I think also, I have been made sen- 
sible of my corruptions, my sinfulness and misery, and been 
often humbled as in the dust. I have been convinced of 
my need of Christ, and somewhat I have seen of his ex- 
cellency ; and cannot but hope, that I have been made wil- 
ling to embrace him, and that I have embraced him on his 
own terms. Oh ! that I were made to see more of the 
worth of Christ, more to admire him, to love him more, and 
to be more zealous for his interest and glory. I certainly do 
esteem God as my chief good ; my highest expectation of 
happiness is from him, and from his benignity who is the 
fountain of goodness, the spring of everlasting consolation. 
* I have none in heaven but God, nor any thing on earth 
that I desire' or love, ' in comparison of him/ Some tastes 
I have had of his love, and of those comforts, those ' rivers 
of pleasure which are at his right hand/ the sweetness of 
which infinitely transcend the choicest delights I ever tasted 
in mortal things. Surely, therefore,. I have chosen him, yea, 
1 cannot but choose him, for l my portion/ my everlasting 
All. I have been intrusted with so much of this world's 
goods as to prove what riches, honours, and pleasures of 
sense can do for me, and have found them all empty, delu- 
sive, and unsatisfying. On the other hand, that little I have 
experienced of his love assures me that he is an unfathom- 
able ocean of excellency : yet, though I have not done all 
that I might to cherish and cultivate his love, surely I prize 
it above my very life, and dread his displeasure worse than 



Jft. 45. GROWTH IN GRACE. Ill 

death. Surely I may say, with the pious and ingenious 
Mrs. Rowe — 

" If this be not a truth, 

" I do not breathe, I have no hopes, nor fears, 

" I know not where, I know not what I am ; 

" But wander in uncertainty and doubt:" 

Consequently sin, as sin, is the object of my abhorrence. 
I loathe, and strive against what was my darling lust, 
though, alas Itoo faintly. Is not this ' body of sin' my heavy 
burden? I can appeal to my inmost conscience, as Mr. 
Baxter doth; yea, to God himself; — 

" Would I long bear my heavy load, 

" And keep my sorrows long ? 
" Would I long sin against my God, 

" And all his mercies wrong ?" 

Is not my judgment, my practical judgment, more firmly 
determined for God ? Speak, conscience ! Is it not ' all my 
salvation, and all my desire/ to stand high in his favour, be 
conformed to his likeness, be made partaker of his holi- 
ness, and happy in his everlasting embraces ? Are not my 
affections more disengaged than formerly, from riches, plea- 
sures, and the honour that cometh from men ; though, alas ! 
X feel too much the stirrings of pride, and need more mortifi- 
cation and self-denial ? My affections cling to my wife and 
children, I think, more sensibly and closely than to any 
thing else below the skies ; but yet I am convinced, should 
the great Sovereign strike all my comforts dead, one smile 
of his were a sufficient cordial, even under such an over- 
whelming trial. As to the duties of religion becoming 
more easy and pleasant, what shall I say ? Here my assu- 
rance staggers. I have cause enough to lament with holy 
Job — 'O that it were with me as in months' or years 'past!' 
How short, alas ! how seldom, how broken are my secret 
devotions ! What reason have I to weep over, and be 
ashamed of my secret pravers ! Lord. '* quicken thou me, 



112 FAMILY AFFLICTIONS. 1737. 

and I will call upon thy name !' On the whole, what 
thanks, what adoration, what love do I owe to * the God 
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his 
abundant mercy, hath begotten me again to a lively hope 
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead I* 

FAMILY AFFLICTIONS, 

Saturday, September 24, 1737. The case of my maid- 
servant (in the small-pOx) was thought to be desperate; 
but God hath dealt graciously in ner recovery. She is 
snatched from the very jaws of death. Blessed be her 
kind Deliverer ! May her future life be spent to good pur- 
pose ! May I be more faithful in admonishing and in- 
structing her in ' the things that belong to her peace P One 
daughter was very ill of the same distemper,, but another is 
like to be much worse. No sooner is one trial past, but 
another, a sorer trial, comes on : ' The clouds return after 
the rain/ Such a burden, we cannot but fear, will over- 
whelm her tender frame, quench the lamp of life, and bring 
her down to the dust. What, if this should be the mourn- 
ful issue ! How wilt thou comport, my soul, with such a 
dispensation? Wilt thou quarrel with the great Disposer, 
find fault with his dealings, or submit with reluctance ? No r 
that be far from me : '■ Let the potsherds strive with the 
potsherds of the earth ; but woe be unto him that striveth 
with his Maker.' Are we not in his hands f as clay in the 
hands of the potter/ which he may crush or break at his 
pleasure ? l Surely, it is meet to be said unto God, I have 
borne chastisement, I will not offend any more/ This very 
dear child is a treasure committed to my care, a loan sent 
unto me by the great Lord of all, for which I am accounts 
able to him ; and may he not call in his own when he pleas- 
eth ? Is it not a matter of much duty, much care and la- 
bour, much watchfulness and diligence, to bring up a child 
for God? And should I grudge, should I complain^ if 



Jftt. 45. FAMILY AFFLICTIONS. 113 

God see good to release me so soon from such an impor- 
tant trust ? O my soul, hast thou been faithful in devoting 
it by baptism, faithful in praying for it, and in forming it to 
obedience and virtue, so far as its capacity will admit ? 
Then take the comfort of it. ' Thy work is with the Lord, 
and thy reward with thy God.' Or, hast thou been remiss 
and negligent ? Then, be humbled for past neglects, and dili- 
gently improve the hours and days that remain, not only in 
praying for her life, but in devoting her afresh to God 
in Christ, begging that she may be interested in all the 
blessings of the everlasting covenant, and cheerfully resign- 
ing her to the divine disposal, whether in life or death. 

Saturday, October 1, 1737- This has been a week of 
much trial and exercise of my faith and patience. To see 
a beloved child blinded, and covered over with a loathsome 
disease, wrestling with death, ourselves helpless and impo- 
tent, our bowels yearning over her, but not capable of 
helping her to an easy respiration ; in this distress, to eye 
stedfastly the hand of God, to justify him, to maintain high 
and honourable thoughts of him, to have all our expecta- 
tion of relief from him — from his goodness and faithfulness — 
his power and all sufficiency, when ' flesh and heart fail- 
em;' this is a great trial and exercise of faith. Many a 
time, this day, hath it been whispered (as it were) in mine 
ears — Have faith in God ! Omnipotence can easily sus- 
tain her, and spread new life and vigour through every part : 
but, if he choose not, sure I am, he doth all things well 
and wisely. Though he ' take from me the desire of mine 
eyes with a stroke,' still I will trust him, yea, love and 
praise him. 1 find afflictions good for me. I have ever 
found them so. They are happy means, in the hand of the 
Holy Spirit, to mortify my corruptions, to subdue my pride, 
my passion, my inordinate love to the creature : they soften 
my hard heart, bring me on my knees, exercise and increase 

I 



114 FAMILY AFFLICTIONS. 1737- 

faith, love, humility self-denial : they make me l poor in 
spirit/ and nothing in my own eyes. Welcome the cross ! 
welcome deep adversity ! welcome stripping providences ! 
with Mr. Mason, they make me sing — 

" O happy rod! 
" That brought me nearer to my God." 

Yesterday morning, and once or twice before, I had sweet 
enlargement of soul in humble, earnest, importunate sup- 
plication, and entire resignation. I can now say, (Lord, 
help me to say it with greater resolution) — Come life, come 
death, welcome the will of God ! 

Lords-day, October 9> 1737. It is done. ' It is finish- 
ed/ Her days are numbered, and they are finished. # Do 
I ' sorrow as one that hath no hope ?' Have I not reason 
to hope my child has fallen l asleep in Jesus r* Have I not 
a prevailing hope of my own interest in the everlasting cove- 
nant? Have I not the testimony of my own conscience, 
that I have been faithful and sincere in devoting her to God 
in baptism, and many a time since ? Have I not with 
lively actings of faith laid hold on the covenant for her, and 
recommended her to the mercy of a compassionate, all-suf- 
ficient Saviour ? Have I not reason to believe, that she is 
received into the bosom of her dear Redeemer ? The state 
of separate spirits is indeed far removed from our observa- 
tion. It is but little that we know of the invisible world : 
but, surely, there is reason to hope, from what the word of 
God reveals, that my dear child is now a glorious, happy 
' spirit made perfect/ and joined ' to the general assembly 
and chinch of the first born, which are written in heaven/ 
Why then should I repine, or be dissatisfied, at her removal 
hence? If all lived to adult age, religious parents might 
be without trials peculiarly adapted to their patience, their 

* This was Mary, his youngest child. When she was born, is not 
recorded ; but it must have been in, or after 1732. 



M&T. 45. THE FOLLY OF IMMODERATE ANGER. 115 

faith, hope, love, and resignation. Many other reasons, 
no doubt, there are for this conduct of Providence : but it 
may well satisfy me, that ' what I know not now, I shall 
know hereafter/ For the present, ' I am sure the judg- 
ment of God is according to truth/ and that he doth all 
things well and wisely. Then welcome the will of God ! 
' If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved/ I shall 
go to them, but they shall not return to me. 

THE FOLLY OF IMMODERATE ANGER. 

Lord's-day, October 23, 1737. 1 am sorry to find the 
humbling sense of my late smarting affliction so much and 
go quickly worn off. It grieves me, to find my spirit so un- 
tamed, my pride so unmortified. I have been transported 
last week into several indecent sallies of passion, disagree- 
able to my profession and character, and contrary to many 
solemn resolves. Certainly, pride is at the bottom, unmor- 
tified pride. It is true, I was t not angry without a cause/ 
This servant had been negligent, another had spoiled his 
work, a third had been dishonest ; but what then ? Might I 
not have reproved these faults without passion ? Is not a 
mild rebuke more likely to prevent such faults for the fu- 
ture t Or, if not, ought I not to have suffered a little loss 
patiently, rather than ruffle my temper, and disturb the 
peace of my soul ? Doth it not argue great weakness to 
make another man master of my temper, and subject my 
tranquillity to every little disappointment ? Be ashamed of 
this, O my soul, and let me learn henceforward better to 
govern my own spirit. Oh ! could I learn to think more 
meanly of myself, surely 1 should not treat with a haughty 
insolence, even my inferiors, though they do things con- 
trary to my interest ! What dishonour do I bring on the 
gospel of Christ, when I, who have taken upon me the 
Christian name, discover to the world unmortified passions 5 

1 2 



116 THE FOLLY OF IMMODERATE ANGER. 1737. 

a spirit so unlike to* the meek and lowly JesUS ! Are not 
meekness and love, of the very spirit of the gospel ? Is it 
not part of its distinguishing excellency, to break savage 
nature, and make it gentle ; to civilize brutes and barba- 
rians ; to subdue unruly passions, and teach its votaries to 
' bless them that curse, to bless and curse not ?' Hath not 
my Saviour taught me — i to resist not evil ; but whosoever 
shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other 
also ?' Is not this to ' be perfect, even as our Father which 
is in heaven is perfect ?' How then, shall it appear 
that I am a disciple of Christ, if I suffer my resentment, 
my angry passions to arise, when no affront, no mischief, no 
disobedience w T ere designed me ; but, merely, perhaps, an 
act of inadvertency or carelessness ? Or, how can I expect 
to be l forgiven the thousand talents I owe' to my great 
Lord, if I ( cannot forgive' my l servant a hundred pence/ 
or bridle my passion, when the damage done me, perhaps, 
doth not amount to a single penny ? Again consider, O my 
soul, when 1 discover angry resentments for a small ne- 
glect or mismanagement of a servant, is this ' doing to others, 
as 1 would that others should do to me ?' Suppose I were 
in that servant's place, and had the same dependance on 
him for a livelihood, as he now hath upon me, which might 
have been the case, how would such a behaviour in him to- 
wards me sit upon my heart ? What pain and uneasiness 
would it give me! How unreasonable should I think such 
a keen resentment, such an imperious' tone, such an over- 
bearing insolence, in my master or superior, when the fault 
was wholly negative; it may be, a mere omission! How 
tenderly should I expect or wish to be treated, ware I in the 
place of those whom I treat so rudely ! "Why then, should 
I give to others a pain, a disturbance, a vexation, which I 
myself should think altogether unreasonable ? Be deeply 
humbled, O my soul, for past transgressions of this kind; 
Mid for the future, let me guard against the first rising of 



Mt. 45. INCONVENIENCES ON A JOURNEY. 117 

passion, or check it as soon as it begins to swell ; and let nue 
reach after the amiable ( ornament of humility, a meek and 
quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price.' So 
shall I learn to bear the cross incidents of life without the 
ruffle and disturbance of my own inward powers, the pain 
and terror of those about me, and without making others 
witnesses of my folly and weakness. 

INCONVENIENCES ON A JOURNEY. 

Lancaster, November, 1737- From this place I sent in 
a letter to my wife the following verses, which I composed 
for her, while I was riding alone, and in the dark : — 

"While distant from my dear abode, 

And dearer partner's face, 
Through lonesome paths and dreary ways, 

I roam from place to place: 

Frequent these pleasing thoughts return, 

And sacred joys inspire — 
When fears assail, and danger's nigh, 

My Father, God, is nigher! 

' Thou art my portion, Lord/ I cry ; 

Oh ! let my cry be heard. 
Thy favour is the lighc of life, 

Thy providence my guard* 

In various musings of the mind, 

And thoughts that inward roll, 
Thy comforts, which are all divine, 

Cheer and delight my soul. 

I find no certain dwelling-place, 

But wander here and there ; 
I'm but a pilgrim here below, 

As all my fathers were. 

i 3 



118 ENDEAVOURS TO RECLAIM A BROTHER. 1737« 

But, there remains for me i a rest", 

' An house not made with hands/ 

A ' mansion' on the heav'nly plains, 
Where my salvation stands. 

Here, I'm expos'd to boist'rous winds. 

And raging storms invade ; 
No fence, no shelter o'er my head, — - 
s I find no friendly shade,, 

There, is a region all serene, 

No cloud infests the sky; 
Storms never roar, or gather round 

The saints that dwell on high. 

Through shades of night I grope along, 

Bereft of gladsome day ; 
Many my dangers, and unseen, 

While darkness veils my way: 

But there, the nations of the just, 

Remote from gloomy night, 
Are blest with rays of love divine, 

And dwell in endless light. 

Here, we are mourning blasted joys, 

Our dearest comforts die : 
Vain are our fondest cries and tears 

To hold them, when they fly. 

There, they, restor'd to our embrace, 

With heav'nly splendour shine ; 
And, all, around our Father's board 

Regale on joys divine. 

ENDEAVOURS TO RECLAIM A BROTHER. 

Lord's-day, December 4, 1737. The providence of the 
Most High, which hath kept me all my days, brought me 
home last night in safety and health, from my northern cir- 



Ml. 46. THE CONVINCED SINNER. lip 

cuit, in which I have been out a month. A little before I 
went from home, I neard a sermon,* on the ' Joy, in heaven 
over one sinner that repenteth.' I was glad to see my bro- 
ther John in his place, and attentive to the preacher, while 
he was very affectionately expostulating with sinners. I 
immediately determined to write to him, which I did as 
soon as I came home. I begged of him, once a-day for a week 
at least, to retire, and seriously ask himself some questions 
I gave him, and then pour out the sentiments of his heart in 
fervent prayer to God. He took my letter so kindly, that he 
attempted to put the advice in practice ; but when he kneel- 
ed down to pray, he was seized with horror, and could do 
little else but weep. He after, fell to drinking again, and 
was out till two or three in the morning. The second or 
third morning he came home in great agony of mind, ac- 
cusing and condemning himself freely to his wife, not with- 
out some expressions of despair. In this temper he came 
to me, and in an hour or two of private conversation de- 
clared his desire to leave off his sinful course, and suggested 
his great fear that he should not be able to overcome the 
strong habits of vice he had contracted. I endeavoured to 
comfort, as well as counsel him. On the morrow I set out 
for the north, and after a week's absence wrote to him 
many things with the same view. As his case lay much on 
my mind, I composed, in solitary seasons, but chiefly on 
horseback, and sent him the following soliloquy : — 

THE CONVINCED SINNER. 

\\ hen I survey my num'rous faults, 
How black and horrid is the train ! 
The number far exceeds my thoughts, 
They're tinctur'd with the deepest stain. 

Gan such a sinner hope to find 

A gracious God, a Saviour kind ? 

* By the Rev. James Hancox, after this, of Dudley. 
I 4 



320 THE CONVINCED SINNER* 1737 

My sins have*so offended Heav'n, 
They've been so long my daily food, 
I fear they cannot be forgiv'n, 
I fear they cannot be subdu'd. 

I can't repent, I cannot pray ; 

My head-strong lusts I must obey. 

What ! can there no relief be found ? 
Am I abandon'd to despair ? 
No balm in Gilead's happy ground ? 
No Saviour, no Physician, there ? 

But, must my trembling soul sustain 

The terrors of eternal pain ? 

Distracting thought ! How shall I bear 

The unknown vengeance of a God, 

Whose wrath transcends my utmost fear ? 

Oh ! screen me from his vengeful rod. 
With endless burnings who can dwell 
Or, 'bide the raging flames of hell ? 

How fast my minutes glide away ! 
Silent, but certain, is their pace. 
Quickly will death conclude my day : 
Then, farewell calls and means of grace ! 

Nor judgment lingers, though forgot ; 

My own damnation slumbers not. 

See ! the great Judge in pomp descends, 

With all his saints, in bright array, 

To doom his foes, to bless his friends. 

Oh ! the dread horrors of that day : 
Where shall I hide me ? how retire 
From him, whose eyes are flames of fire ? 

He bids th' archangel's trumpet sound ! 
The sleeping clods awake and hear ; — 



JEt. 46. THE CONVINCED SINNER. 121 

See ! countless throngs fill all the ground ; 
And all, before his throne appear. 

With nice survey his piercing eye 

The saint and sinner doth descry. 

Joyful his saints exult, and hail 
The glorious triumphs of the day ; 
While sinners tremble, weep, and wail, 
O'erwhelm'd wifin guilt and sore dismay; 

Angelic hosts, at his command, 

Divide them quick to either hand. 

Those, he applauds, with glory crowns, 

While pleasure sparkles in his eyes : 

These, he condemns with awful frowns, 

Inexorable to their cries, 

Oh ! might I then his plaudit gain, 
Refin'd and purg'd from ev'ry stain, 

And, shall I still persist in sin ? 

I tremble at the guilty thought ! 

Shall foul corruption reign within, 

Since my redemption Christ hath bought ? 
The chief of sinners have obtain'd 
His grace, and pard'ning mercy gain'd. 

Oft have I heard the gospel sound 

With tenders of forgiving love. 

Of those that seek him he'll be f6und ; 

For, contrite hearts his bowels move. 

Who knows, since patience yet takes place, 
But this may prove my day of grace ? 

Their wants will surely be supply'd, 
Whose earnest cries his grace implore : 
Nor ever was his suit deny'd, 
Who humbly knock'd at mercy's door : 



122 UNHAPPY TEMPER AT THE LORD'S TABLE. 1/38. 

Here, then^, I'll wait, and knock, and cry ; 
If I must perish, here I'll die ! 

new-year's day. 

Lord's-day, January 1, 1738. With what shame, with 
what thankfulness, have I reason to reflect on the year that 
is past ? It hath been a year of mercy, many and multi- 
plied mercies. It hath been a year of bodily health, little 
pain or sickness have I been exercised with. It hath also, 
been a year of prosperity : bad as trade is in general, God 
hath been pleased to bless my endeavours with good suc- 
cess ; if not equal to some years, yet I am sure far beyond 
my deserts. But, what returns have I made to God for all 
his mercies ? How backward have I been to devotional du- 
ties ! How remiss and languid in them ! How rarely have 
I enjoyed sensible communion with God ! How little time 
have I set apart (unless when travelling) from the concerns 
of the world, for solemn meditation, for conversing with God 
and my own soul ! How often have I been transported into 
indecent sallies of rash and sinful anger ; though not so as 
to strike any person, nor so as to utter profane, scurrilous, or 
abusive language ; yet, so as to suffer my mind to be dis- 
tempered and over-heated, so as to lose the government of 
myself, perhaps grieve my wife, children, fellow-Christians, 
and expose myself to their censures. May I double my 
guard against this my constitution-sin. May I be more 
earnest and frequent in praying for strength and succour from 
above in the hour of trial and temptation, that l as my day, 
so my strength may be.' And may I be more constant every 
morning in devotional exercises, which I have often found so 
very useful to promote my watchfulness, to compose my 
spirits, and to mend my frame and temper of mind. 

UNHAPPY TEMPER AT THE LORD'S TABLE. 

Lord's-day, February 5, 1738. This day I have been 
commemorating the dying love of Christ. But, oh ! how 



JEt. 46. A STATE OF TRUE CONTENTMENT. 123 

cold hath my love been to him, whose love to me hath been 
so fervent. How unsuitable, the frame of my mind to such 
a solemnity ! I would be deeply humbled for it, and in- 
quire into the cause. However, I have this comfort, in re- 
flecting on what passed at the Lord's table, that in medi- 
tating before the administration, and in setting myself earn- 
nestly to seek God, I could say — Lord, thou hast been 
found of me in this place, and on this occasion hereto- 
fore ; and art not thou the same God \ — Is not the desire 
of my soul sincerely towards thee ? 1 received some 
comforting assurance, that I am the Lord's, sincerely de- 
voted to him, and that he is my God in covenaat, 'my por- 
tion' and my all. Yea, I was persuaded of my readiness, 
through assisting grace, to yield a cheerful obedience and 
subjection to his will in all things, so far as I should know 
it, even to the discharge of the most self-denying services, 
and the patient bearing of the most bitter sufferings for 
his sake. May this be the fixed, determinate purpose of my 
soul, and herein may I increase more and more ! 

A STATE OF TRUE CONTENTMENT. 

Lord's-day, March 26, 1738. My heavenly Father hath 
not only blessed me with a competent portion of the good 
things of this life, but he hath also blessed me with some 
comfortable measure of contentment with my lot. He hath 
given me enough ; and enabled me to think it enough, both* 
for myself and family, although he should not be pleased to 
add any farther increase. Blessed be God, I can take a 
cheerful enjoyment of the comforts of life, and gratify the 
lawful and innocent demands of nature, without that fear of 
want, of which Solomon says — ' This is vanity/ and i it is 
an evil disease. 5 I can pursue my trade and worldly busi- 
ness, in an humble dependance on the divine conduct and 
blessing, without au anxious solicitude for success; and, 
through grace, can bear disappointments and losses with 



124 A STATE OF TRUE CONTENTMENT. 1738. 

humble submision to divine disposal, without excruciating 
care and vexation. I cast myself, my family, my most im- 
portant interests, my all, upon the Lord, with humble trust 
in his all-sufficiency and goodness, not only as able to sus- 
tain me, but who hath promised--' that all things shall work 
together for my good ;' and, to ' preserve me to his heavenly 
kingdom.' Far be it from me to attribute the praise of this 
to myself. No. ' This is the gift of God.' It is not my own 
wisdom or goodness. ' It is the blessing of God that mak- 
eth rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.' I would thank- 
fully ascribe ' to the praise of the glory of his grace/ and to 
the aids of his Holy Spirit, whatever good dispositions I find 
in myself, and would humbly consecrate all to his service : but, 
I would charge on myself the defects of my obedience, and 
the remains of envy and discontent, which are yet too much 
unmortified. I have not attained to that full contentment 
with my estate, which the commandment requires, and 
which I would be found reaching after. Fain would I be 
brought to think my present state, however inferior to others' 
in riches and greatness, and whatever losses and disappoint- 
ments I am at any time exercised with, to be best for me. 
In order to this, and as much as possible to perfect my con- 
tentment, I would — Consider the folly and mischief of dis- 
content. It cannot mend my state, but will make it much 
worse. It is not a likely means of obtaining the blessing of 
God, but the way to bring his frowns, if not his curse, on 
what I have. It will unfit me for the duties of religion, and 
for the proper business of- my station in life, so far as it 
prevails. It will hinder my enjoyment of the comforts I 
have, and add bitterness to every affliction, It is, indeed, 
productive of envy, malice, hatred, injustice, and almost 
every kind of unrighteousness. On the other hand — Consi- 
der, O my soul, the many and great advantages of content- 
ment. It is pleasing to God ; it honours and glorifies him. 
It disposes us to a cheerful discharge of our duty in all cir- 



JEt. 46. RENEWED ENDEAVOUR TO RECLAIM, &C. 125 

cumstances. It gives us the best enjoyment of life. It 
will prevent many evils, and preserve from many tempta- 
tions. It is a cure of covetousness, or an undue esteem of 
the world, and inordinate desire after it ; as also, of pride, 
or too high thoughts of ourselves. It will sweeten every af- 
fliction \ at least it will take off much of its bitterness, and 
help us to bear up under losses, reproaches, poverty, and 
disgrace, if we suffer as well-doers, with composure and se- 
renity of mind. O my soul, labour more after this excel- 
lent temper, and check and mortify every rising, every mo- 
tion of discontent. 

RENEWED ENDEAVOUR TO RECLAIM A BROTHER. 

June, 1738. Alas ! I have reason to believe the pro- 
ceeding* stated, December 4, in the case of my brother 
John, are without effect ; he is become as bad as ever, and 
to all appearance, more hardened in his vicious course, for, 
he now justifies what before he freely condemned. I have 
taken his case into consideration again, and sent him a copy 
of verses of another cast; but I fear, by his answer, they 
will be equally ineffectual with the former. 

Since you will drink, till ev'ry serious thought, 
Till reason's drown' d in the luxurious draught ; 
Night after night your revels will renew, 
Out-brave your conscience, suffer no review ; 
But, lost to friendship, honour, fear, and shame, 
To the whole town your folly will proclaim : 
Though certain woe your vicious course attends, 
Though oft besought, and warn'd by faithful friends, 
Though punish'd oft by scoffs and ling'ring pain, 
Yet still incorrigible will remain — 
Go ! take your head-strong course, add cup to cup, 
Repeat your crimes, and fill your measure up ! 
Adown your throat the precious liquor troll, 
And drench with plenteous streams your.thirsty soul i 



126 DEATH OF A FIUEND. 1736, 

At midnight h&urs reel cautiously to bed, 
Insult your wife, repose your swimming head ! 
Snore on, till noise of day disturb your sleep, 
To bus'ness then, heart-sick, reluctant creep ' 
Never reflect on time, or cash mispent, 
Suppress each serious thought, nor once relent ? 
If conscience tremble, urg'd with guilty fear, 
Let flowing cups the grov'ling dastard cheer 1 
If yet it quail, with dire forebodings prest, 
Persuade the foolish thing — 'tis all a jest ! 
A mere chimera ! — there's no heaven, or hell ! 
Or God, or devil ! — Such idle whims repel. 
Renounce yonr baptism, and reverse your vows 5 
And sell yourself to tipple and carouse ! 
Till health impaired, till constitution broke ; 
Till credit sunk, yourself the common joke ; 
Till spurn'd of all, unpitied as unblest; 
With want, with pain, and various w T oes opprest ; 
Till spirits' drain'd, to a sick-bed confin'd 
And rack'd with terrors of a guilty mind, 
Relentless, hopeless, you will shortly lie 
Appall'd with horroF, and — despairing— die ! 

DEATH OF A FRIEND. 

Lord's-day, July % 1738. It hath pleased the All-wise, 
the sovereign Disposer, and Lord of all, this morning to call 
away in the midst of his days and usefulness, my dear friend 
Mr. Joseph Taylfoy* of Whitelench, a wise and a good 
man. About a fortnight since he chanced, as we commonly 
express it, to push one of the points of a table-fork into 
his thumb, but not very deeply, so that he did not think it 
needful to take any notice of it till the next day, when he 

* Father of the venerable Rev. Thomas Tayler, late pastor of the 
church in Carter-lane, London. 



JEL 46. DEATH OF A FRIEND. 127 

found it painful, and such was its progress, that this morn- 
ing he took his flight hence to keep an eternal sabbath. 

Now, O my soul, what use, what improvement shall I 
make of this awful, this surprising, this mournful Provi- 
dence? This is our sacrainent-day ; at the ordinance I have 
often admired, and been affected with his serious, yet lively 
deportment : and, how much clearer than mine, are the views 
he now hath of the mysteries of redeeming love ! We have 
often taken sweet counsel together, and spent many an hour 
in pleasant conversation. I have lost a dear associate ; a 
delightful and profitable companion ; one that had a clear, 
penetrating head, and could assist me in searching out 
truth. One to whom I could freely open my mind, and 
from whom I have often received light and instruction : one 
who loved me, and was often inviting me to his house. 
Oh I what sights has he had this day. I am ready to wish 
that my soul were in his soul's stead. O my soul! keep 
thine end stedfastly in thine eye : may I live every day as 
my last ; ' following them who through faith and patience are 
inheriting the promises ;' that so I may at last go to him, 
though he shall not return to me. 

July 9- This day Mr. Bradshaw preached Mr. Tayler's 
funeral-sermon, from — * Blessed are the dead that die in the 
Lord/ towards the close of which, he drew his character in 
the following words : " He ' set out in the ways of God be- 
" times, and persevered therein to the end of his life : — 
" he had a deep sense of religion on his mind, which had 
" an influence on his conduct :— he had an excellent natural 
" capacity, which he greatly improved by much reading and 
u close thinking : — he had a large compass of knowledge, a 
" quickness of apprehension, and solidity of judgment, 
il which made him capable of great usefulness : — and as he 
" was well-furnished, so he was ready to do the kindest 
" offices, and serve the interests of those about him :— be was 



128 YOUTH EXCITED TO THINK OF DEATH. 1738. 

" a lover of good m^n, and valued all whom he had reason 
" to believe loved our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." 

This, I believe to be his true character. How blessed 
then is his memory; but how extensive the loss of such a 
useful, valuable man ! I may add of my own observation, 
that he was not dogmatical, but always open to conviction. 
Though an able disputant, yet when a tenet which he had 
espoused and defended, has been refuted by a train of clear, 
strong arguments, he has not only felt the force thereof, but 
in my hearing has frankly given it up, with this ingenuous 
acknowledgment — " I cannot resist the force of such rea- 
u soiling," which I thought as much redounded to his praise^ 
as did the victory to that of his antagonist. I have not 
duly improved the conversation of this valuable friend ; may 
I now improve his loss, by mortifying my affections to all 
things here below ; and employing the faculties and capa- 
c*.y God has given me, in useful service, to the utmost of 
my power, now while time and opportunity last, and by fol- 
lowing him so far as he followed Christ. 

YOUTH EXCITED TO THINK OF DEATH. 

To his Nephew Watson.* 

Kidderminster, July 11, 1738. 

DEAR COUSIN, 

It was a very mournful providence, which at once be- 
reaved your dear parents of their only daughter, and you of 

* Mr. John Watson was born at Bromsgrove, June 23, 1725. He 
was the son of the gentleman to whom the letter dated December 3, 
1753, is addressed, and of Hannah the sister of Mr. Williams, already 
mentioned. Mr. Watson's history and that of his uncle are interwo- 
ven. In June, 1740, he went to reside with his uncle as an appren- 
tice, and shortly after the expiration of his term of servitude, became 
copartner. At a period coeval with the latter event, he was admitted 






JEt. 46. YOUTH EXCITED TO THINK OF DEATH. 129 

your only sister. I doubt not you, to whom she was so 
near and dear, could not but share deeply in the common 
grief of all your uncles, aunts, cousins, and many others 
that were acquainted with her. But, let me tell you, cou- 
sin, it is not enough to grieve and mourn under so awful a 
dispensation. Such a providence hath a voice. When 
death comes into a family, it calls loudly to every surviving 

a communicant of the church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. B. 
Fawcett ; and after eight or ten years, was chosen for a deacon, which 
office he retained till his death, June 10, 1804. The Supplement to 
the Evangelical Magazine for that year, contains a judicious and in- 
structive memoir of Mr. Watson, by the Rev. John Humphrys of 
London, who will be again alluded to in other parts of this volume. In 
the memoir, the reader will find it stated, that — " Mr. Watson was 
" eminently distinguished by qualities both of the head and of the 
" heart:" " his integrity nothing could shake:" "he feared the 
u face of no man. In him, the sublime maxim of Seneca was strik- 
" ingly illustrated — No man seems to estimate virtue more, no man is 
" more devoted to it, than he who will hazard even his reputation as a 
" good man, rather than wound his conscience." In this just eulogy 
every person must join who was admitted to the privilege of intimacy 
with Mr. Watson ; whose felicity it was to be united as a partner-in- 
life to a lady possessing a mind more than usually cultivated. In 
September, 1749, he married the daughter of Mr. John Wilkinson of 
Kendal. That gentleman having become a widower while his child was* 
young, felt himself for that reason, the more concerned to protect her 
from the influence of worldly contagion. His anxiety on her account, 
by a particular leading of Providence (noticed by Mr. Williams, Feb- 
ruary 13, 1746,) was a means of Miss Wilkinson being invited to re- 
side for a time in the family of Mr. Williams; from which circumstance 
proceeded all the material consequences of her future life. " This pi- 
" ous lady," writes the author of the memoir abovementioned, " was 
u remarkably sensible and serious in her conversation ; her letters are 
" replete with sentiments of piety, and exhibit great elegance of dic- 
'• tion; and her diary, if the delicacy of her friends would permit its 
" publication, would prove an acceptable present to the religious pub- 
" lie." She died December 10, 1799. 

K 



130 YOUTH EXCITED TO THINK OF DEATH. 1738. 

member of it, and ! cannot but hope you did then * hear 
the rod,' and did consider ' who appointed it/ Perhaps, 
by this time the sound thereof ceases to toll in your ears. 
Shall I, therefore, put you in mind? I hope you will not 
think it impertinent, or unseasonable, at this distance of 
time, to be reminded of it ;• for the lessons it dictates, are 
not to be observed for a day, or a week, or a month, or a 
year, but throughout your whole life. — It is designed to 
mind you of your mortality. Not only that you should 
think of it, while the affecting object lay in your sight; or 
when you were attending it to its dusty bed; or for that 
evening, when the sorrowful scene was fresh in your memo- 
ry. Did you not, on that melancholy occasion, reflect 
thus ? — " My sister is dead and gone, who was younger than 
I. She was lately as likely to live as I now am. A rosy 
bloom overspread her cheeks, betokening health and 
vigour ; but now, alas ! the roses are withered, and turned 
into a mortal paleness. Who knows but my turn may be 
next ! She that was lately so sprightly, lies now senseless 
and inanimate : and, how soon may this be my case ! 
Who knows what a day or a week may bring forth !" Did 
you think so then ; and is not the case the same still ? Will 
it not be the same as long as you v live ? Meditate, there- 
fore, daily on your mortality. — Not only should it mind 
you, that you are a dying creature, but should also quicken 
you to prepare to die. You know that all of you will not 
die : man is a compound being : the material substance 
will die and perish ; but there is an immortal, invisible, 
immaterial substance within, which, when the body dies, 
takes its flight, as a bird when it escapes out of a cage, 
and is carried by angels to its proper place. They that 
loved God whilst here, and devoted themselves sincerely to 
his service, and are made meet for the business and bless- 
edness of heaven, shall at death be earned thither. On the 
other hand, they who had a prevailing aversion to God and 



.Ft. 46. DELIVERANCE FROM FIRE. V31 

holiness, aud a love to the ways of sin, shall be turned into 
hell, and be made companions of devils and damned spirits. 
Now, which of these two states would you choose ? I know 
it is not possible you should choose the latter : but, remem- 
ber, they who choose the ways of sin, do in effect choose 
its wages. Let this providence, therefore, excite you to 
prepare to die, by devoting yourself entirely to God. Do 
it now. Set out betimes in the ways of God, whereby you 
will ' lay up a good foundation for yourself against the time 
to come,' and will hereafter ' lay hold on eternal life/ — 
There is one voice more of this awful stroke, which you 
should never forget — That you are now your parents' only 
hope. Had your sister lived, then, though you should have 
proved perverse and disobedient, they might have had com- 
fort in lier : but now she is gone, if you should prove a son 
of sorrow, an heart-breaking to them, where shall they look 
for comfort? ' You will bring down their grey hairs with 
sorrow to the grave/ Cousin, i if thine heart be wise, my 
heart shall rejoice, even mine ;' for I can assure you, that 
your welfare and well-doing will administer matter of real 
joy to, your affectionate friend and loving uncle, J. W. 

DELIVERANCE FROM FIRE. 

Saturday, July 15, 1738. How good is it to trust in 
God, and to commit ourselves, our all, morning and evening, 
to his protection ! This morning we have been favoured 
with a singular deliverance from danger by fire. Between 
three and four o'clock, our female servant dreamed that a 
neighbouring house was on fire, and that it was also quickly 
extinguished. By the agitation which the dream occasioned, 
she discomposed her bed-clothes, and became cold ; on 
which, awaking, she raised herself to replace her covering, 
and by that means moved her shoes; their grating sound 
awoke my wife, for we were in the room beneath, who at first 

K 2 



132 DELIVERANCE FROM FIRE. 17SB. 

imagined the girl was* rising ; but after revolving in her mind 
why she should rise so early, drew back the bed-curtain to 
enable her to judge of the hour, and immediately observed 
smoke in the room. My wife gently roused me, and asked 
what occasioned the smoke. I sprang from my bed, and 
hastily put on part of my dress, during which short time the 
smoke became much increased, but from its direction, I im- 
mediately guessed from whence it proceeded. Accordingly, 
running down the stairs I made to the parlour, and on open- 
ing the door saw, through thick smoke, a glowing fire, and 
round about it a circling flame. I ran to the pump for 
water, and threw part of the contents of a pail on the fire, 
by which I was compelled to retreat from the effects of the 
vapour and smoke. Hoping I had checked its power, I 
ran to calm my wife's fears, and to put on more clothing, 
which done, I as quickly returned and repeated the applica- 
tion of water, till the fire was quite subdued. I found it had 
been occasioned by the snufT of a candle being improperly 
thrown into a spitting-box, filled with saw-dust, the snuffers 
not being at hand. The window-curtain nearest to the box 
was burnt all away from bottom to top ; the floor was burnt 
through, the whole breadth of the box, and had been on 
flame around it; the groundsel of the room, a thick solid 
beam, was burnt to charcoal more than an inch deep, and 
about the length of ten inches ; one of the oaken wainscot- 
pannels had been on flame and part of it consumed ; yet 
the window-seat, which was deal and projected nearly 
two inches over the pannel, and the corner of the seat 
much discoloured by, and as I may say, roasted in the flame, 
had not caught it, which appears to every body very won- 
derful. It somewhat added to my confusion at the time, 
and now enhances the mercy of the deliverance, that for 
many years I had regularly insured, but had omitted it this 
year, partly through inadvertency, and partly through my 
brother Housman being taken ill when in London, last 



JEt. 46. DELIVERANCE FROM FIRE. 133 

February, whom I had desired to pay a year's insurance 
for me. 

Consider now, O my soul, the greatness of this mercy, 
and take notice of the interposition of divine providence in 
working out this deliverance. Probably, if none of us had 
awoke before six o'clock, our usual hour ; or if we had lain 
unapprized of it but one hour longer, the fire penetrating 
through the board would have caused a circulation of the 
air, which would have accelerated the action of the fire, and, 
the whole room being wainscoted round, would soon have 
become impossible to be subdued; or, if we had escaped 
with our lives, it might have destroyed much of our sub- 
stance, and spread desolation around us. Why was it, that 
the servant should have, at such a juncture, a disquieting 
dream, and my wife be so easily disturbed ? Where these 
things the effects of chance ? Surely, no ! So seasonable 
an alarm must have been under the direction of Him who is 
the Keeper of Israel, and who neither slumbereth nor 
sleepeth. 

" He doth sustain our weakest powers 

" With his almighty arm, 
" And watch our most unguarded hours 

" Against surprising harm." 

Watts. 

What shall I render to the Lord for this and all his other 
benefits ! My heart for some time overflowed with love and 
gratitude. Oh ! may the sensations excited by this deliverance 
never wear off. Who would be proud on account of riches ! 
How soon may they make themselves wings and flee away ! 
Who would withhold from God his due, either for the relief 
of the poor, or the support of his gospel ! How easily, 
how convincingly can he shew us the vanity and absurdity of 
covetousness ! How safe and wise is it to trust in God, to 

K 3 



134 CONJUGAL LOVE. 1738. 

wait on him, and have our expectation from him alone ! 
How thankful should I be to a delivering God, and how 
careful to walk worthy of his mercies ! 

CONJUGAL LOVE. 

To the Publisher of the Gentleman's Magazine.* 

July, 1738. 
Sir, 

I meet with many fine things in your Magazine, addressed 
to young ladies, in order to win their affection ; but seldom, 
if ever, have seen any thing done, in the poetical way, to 
preserve or cherish it after marriage. I hope the poets do 
not all live and die bachelors: why then, should they be 
less inspired with enjoyment, than with expectation or de- 
sire ? Or, why should it be thought a subject unworthy or 
unfit for the muses, to cultivate or celebrate conjugal love ? 
As I was travelling lately in a pleasant evening far from 
home, the smiling gaiety of the season all around me inspir- 
ing delight, my thoughts took an agreeable tnrn that way, 
and in an hour or two, on a round trot, produced the follow- 
ing lines : — 

Mercator to his Amanda, 

O thou, in whom complacence dear I find, 
The sweetest solace of my lab'ring mind, 
(Saving what sweeter to His grace 1 owe, 
At whose right hand rivers of pleasure flow,) 
Thou dearest partner of my joys and cares, 
Thou daily subject of my fervent pray'rs, 
Whom should 1 love but thee, my charming spouse, 
To whom I stand engag'd by solemn vows ? 
Are children dear — and not Amanda more, 
Amanda, who the beauteous offspring bore ? 

* This letter and the verses were inserted in the magazine, for Au- 
gust, 1738. 



JEt. 46. DEATH OF A SISTER. 135 

Whom should I care to please, my fair, but thee, 
Who gav'st thyself in blooming youth to me ? 
Nor parents' frowns thy steady heart could move, 
Firm to thy choice, and constant in thy love; — 
Love, which through years in pensive patience speut, 
Bow'd their reluctant minds to late consent. 
Blest be the day ! when Hymen join'd our hands, 
And bound our gentle hearts with mutual bands ; 
The day when thou, by pure affection led, 
Didst take me for thy spouse, thy guide, thy head. 
Hail ! wedded love, source of domestic joys ; 
Hence ! jarring discord, which all bliss destroys. 
Still may my breast with chastest passion burn ; 
Still may my dear an equal flame return ; 
Connubial flame still in thy bosom glow ; 
Fond as the loving hind, and pleasing roe. 
So shall thy bliss my joy perpetual prove, 
And I be ever ravish'd with thy love. 

DEATH OF A SISTER. 

Lord's-day, August 6, 1738. Frequent and loud are the 
calls of providence to my vain, earthly heart, to leave all 
earthly snares and come away. How many monitions have 
I that I must die ! My dear friends and relatives are dying 
around me. The removal of one after another of those, who 
were dear and desirable to me, to whom 1 could with free- 
dom unbosom myself, to whom I was always welcome, who 
loved me and took pleasure in my prosperity, renders this 
world a less desirable abode. The loss of such friends 
should prove the means of fixing my frequent meditations 
on that state into which I hope they are translated, of dis- 
engaging my affections from the present state of guilt and 
grief, and of drawing out my earnest desires after that 
blessed world in which I hope to rejoin them, and where 

*4 



r 



136 DEATH OF A SISTER. 1738. 

I shall behold my God and Saviour with rapturous joy, and 
ever-growing delight; view over at leisure the wonders of 
his wisdom, power, and love, in the worlds of nature, provi- 
dence, and grace ; and for ever triumph in the undoubted 
tokens of his special, everlasting love. Last Wednesday, 
the remains of my dear sister Green were committed to the 
grave. That comely face is no longer so ; ' corruption' is 
her i father/ and i the worm' her ' mother and' her ' sister.' 
She died on Monday night, after wrestling hard with death 
all the day. Her departure happened while I was earnestly, 
and with lively affection, praying for her, in another room, 
with my brother, now her mournful relict, and others. I 
had just finished what supplications I had to offer on her 
behalf, that God would graciously accept of her repentance, 
faith, and self-dedication ; that he would pardon and purify 
her, and consign her departing spirit to the care of guardian 
angels, when I remarked that her groans, which till then, had 
continually sounded in my ears, were ceased ; and, I soon 
understood by the motion of their feet who were attending 
on her, that she was gone; this naturally transferred my 
thoughts from the dead to the living, to pray for survivors 
that we might wisely improve and submit aright to the awful 
stroke. — I am now going to the table of the Lord. She 
was my seat-fellow at the last two sacramental seasons. I 
hope she is now eating that bread and drinking that wine 
which is for ever new. She discovered, the last time, sensi- 
ble tokens of very lively affections, and I trust also, Christian 
graces stirring, at that ordinance, and afterward seemed more 
willing, and even desirous to be gone, if it were the will of 
God, and expressed hopes that she had in her death. May 
these considerations have their suitable influence on my 
heart, when I am sitting at that mysterious board ; remind me 
of my own mortality ; and engage me so to act and demean 
myself, as not knowing whether this may not be my last 
opportunity of this nature. 



JEt. 46. ON FEAR OF DEATH) 137 

ON FEAR OF DEATH. 

Why, O my soul, so loath to die ? 

Why so afraid from hence to go ? 
What is there in this vale of tears 

To captivate and charm thee so ? 

Thou canst not find a full content 

In all the wide creation's field. 
Here's nothing that can fill a mind, 

Or proper satisfaction yield ! 

How often hast thou mourn'd and cry'd — 
Oh ! that I'd pinions like a dove, 

I'd fly from this deceitful world, 
I'd soar on high, and dwell above ! 

Canst thou forget, when to thy Lord 
Some near approaches thou hadst made, 

And tasted at his hallow'd board 

The sacred symbols — wine and'bread : 

How, burning with the purest flame, 
This was the language of my heart — 
* Now Jesus ! take me to thyself, 

And let me never, never, part ! 

The sharpest sting of death is sin, 
The strength of sin is from the law ; 

But, against these, thou may'st from Christ 
Sufficient help and comfort draw. 

Thou need'st not fear, for surely he 
Who left his heav'n to seek thee here, 

Thy passage thither, will secure, 
And kindly entertain thee there. 

Angels shall bear thee to the place 
Where he's enthron'd above the skies : 

And what he purchas'd with his blood 

When thus brought home he'll not despise. 



158 



PREPARATION FOR DEATH. 



1738. 



PREPARATION FOR DEATH. 

Wednesday, August SO, 1738. ' I know/ says Job, 
' that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appoint- 
ed for all living.' Is this a serious truth, and should it not 
then, be seriously considered? Should it not be admitted 
daily into my serious contemplations ; now, while life lasts, 
which is so uncertain, and while something may be done 
towards making my death both safe and comfortable ? Have 
I any concern, in the world, of equal importance with this ; 
or that so justly demands some portion of my time to be set 
apart for this solemn purpose ; even while I am hot and 
eager in my earthly pursuits ? If my great work be not 
yet done, what an indispensable necessity is there, that I set 
myself seriously to tiling on death, in order to quicken me 
in preparation for it ! f What care should I take to mortify 
my corruptions ! How earnest and importunate should I be 
at ' the throne of grace,' for renewing and sanctifying grace, 
that the divine image might be stamped on my soul ; that 
it might be beautified and adorned with every Christian grace 
and virtue, that these may shine forth in my life and con- 
versation ; that I may ' adorn the doctrine of God my 1 Sa- 
viour in all things,' and may be found ' meet to be a par- 
taker of the inheritance of the saints in light ?' Or, if I 
have hope, through rich grace, that such a blessed change 
is begun in me ; yet, what need have I of the most quick- 
ening means, to make me diligent in getting a supply of 
whatever is lacking in my faith, love, and joyful hope ? Do 
I know yet, what it is to die ? Or what farther grace and 
strength I shall want, and to which I have not attained ? ' It 
is appointed unto men once to die.' It is but once that I am 
to take my leave of these mortal shores, and launch forth 
into the boundless ocean of eternity. It is but once that I 
am to resign my departing spirit, with faith, and hope, and 
humble confidence, to the care of my gracious Redeemer : 



JEt. 46. PREPARATION FOR DEATH. 139 

but once I am to close mine eyes on these transitory scenes, 
and immediately open them, by a new vision, on an amaz- 
ing unknown scene, in a region widely different from this, 
and in the midst of spiritual beings. Notwithstanding I 
have had for many years, and still have, an habitual, pre- 
vailing hope, that my everlasting state is made safe and se- 
cure ; that God is my Father, friend, and e portion;' and 
that I am his by electing, adopting love, and renewing 
grace ; yet, how do I know this hope will abide, and sus- 
tain the agonies of a dissolution ? How different a view 
may I then have of my past sins ! How much more black 
and frightful may they then appear than now in a time of 
health and strength ! What different reflections may I then 
make on my repentance, my sorrow for sin, my faith in 
Christ, and my several acts of duty and obedience! The 
sins of my youth, many of which are forgotten, may then 
revive and affright my trembling conscience ; ' and the ter- 
rors of the Lord may set themselves in array against me.* 
What can comfort me then, but the testimony of a good 
conscience, and this, sealed and witnessed to by the com- 
forting Spirit? What, but an overcoming faith, in an all- 
sufficient Saviour, aud evidenced by sincere obedience of 
heart and life to whatsoever he hath commanded ? If God 
speaketh peace, who is he that shall then speak terror ? But, 
in this, as well as many other cases — ' the race is not to the 
swift, nor the battle to the strong/ Many a bright day 
hath closed with a cloudy evening : yet, ordinarily, where 
1 conscience is void of offence towards God and man/ 
death will be attended with present peace and joy. Be it, 
however, my chief concern, that my death may be safe ; so 
that when I die, I may * sleep in Jesus/ leaving it to the 
great Disposer of all events to allot to me what measure of 
comfort and joy he sees to be most for his glory. 



140. COMMITTING THE SPIRIT TO CHRIST. 1738* 

HOPEFUL PROSPECTS CONCERNING A CHILD. 

To his Daughter Phebe.* 

Kidderminster, September 1, 1738. 

DEAR CHILD, 

It hath given me many pleasant reflections since you 
went to Bromyard, when I have thought of the agreeable 
situation you are in, and what advantages you enjoy ; and I 
flatter myself that you are making a good use of them. 
Next, and subordinate to my own, and that of my dear other 
self, I have nothing more at heart than the felicity of my 
children ; and I can truly say — I rejoice in every thing that 
has a tendency for your good, either for body or soul, but 
chiefly' that your soul may prosper. I rejoice in those good 
beginnings, those buddings of a work of grace, which ap- 
pear in you : that tenderness of sinning ; that conscientious 
sense of duty ; that care to please and obey, which you have 
all along discovered. And I hope, you will not rest in any 
present attainments, but be going on from strength to 
strength. Be suspicious of yourself; always maintain a holy 
jealousy lest you should grow formal and heartless in duty, 
and take up with the work done, instead of fervent devotion 
and communion with God therein. 

Present my duty, service, and love, to my good aunt and 
cousins. It is a sickly time here, but we are all, through 
distinguishing mercy, in good health, at the same time that 
four in the neighbourhood are ill of an epidemic fever. I 
hope you are daily mindful of us in your prayers, and can 
assure you that you are constantly remembered on devout 
occasions by, dear child, your truly affectionate parent, 

J. W. 
COMMITTING THE SPIRIT TO CHRIST. 

Lord's-day, September 17, 1738. ' Lord Jesus, receive 
my spirit.' With these words Stephen the proto-martyr 

* Then visiting Mrs. Philipps. 



uEt.46. COMMITTING THE SPIRIT TO CHRIST. 141 

closed his eyes in death, when a furious, bigotted mob had 
barbarously bruised and battered his body with a shower of 
stones. Thus, the apostle Peter directs them that ' suffer 
according to the will of God, to commit the keeping of 
their souls to him in well-doing as to a faithful Creator :' 
thus, David in great danger and distress cries — ' Into thine 
hand I commit my spirit, thou hast redeemed me, O Lord 
God of truth :' and thus, our blessed Lord, just before he 
yielded up the ghost, cried out — ( Father, into thine hands 
I commend my spirit.' The day is coming, the hour is 
drawing on ; even whilst I am writing and meditating on it, 
it is making its advances ; when this body, so dear to me, 
which I have tended and nourished with so much care, must 
die : then, all its motions and operations will cease, and it 
will become wholly untenantable to this active, immortal 
spirit, which will immediately dislodge hence, and being 
disburdened of the crazy load, will flee into the world of 
spirits. Before this, perhaps, pain and grief will render life 
a burden, embitter all its comforts, and make the prospect 
of rest, even in the grave, inviting and delightful. How- 
ever that may be, the intimate union of soul and body, my 
unacquaintedness with the inhabitants of the other w r orld, 
together with some uncertainty about the issues of death, 
make my soul ready to fear, and how distant soever the 
event, to tremble, at the thought. Oh ! what will it be to 
sail between world and world. What, to quit this earthly- 
tenement, and seek a new, an everlasting abode in the im- 
mense, the boundless regions of eternity ! 

" Hov'ring about these mortal shores, 

" Mine eye with vast survey, 
" Views the dread darksome gulph, that leads 

(t To realms of heav'nly day. 

" This is the vast, untry'd abyss, 
" My soul, thou must explore ; 



142 COMMITTING THE SPIRIT TO CHRIST. 1738-9- 

" Oh ! for»a kind, a skilful hand 
" To waft the stranger o'er.'* 



-© 



T have been present at the death of many of my dear 
friends. I beheld my dear father's dying agonies : I heard 
his dying groan, while, sitting on the bed-side, he leaned his 
head on my breast. Lively emotions of joy, that moment 
prevailed and triumphed over all my compassionate grief. I 
was glad his weary soul was got free from those excruciat- 
ing pains which w T ere occasioned by a stone in his bladder, 
and which for many days, yea, weeks and months, had lain 
heavy upon him. It was with a pleasure unfelt before, that 
my thoughts pursued his departing spirit to a better world 
and state. I could not but wish ' my soul in his soul's 
stead/ had it been the will of my heavenly father. I know, 
or can conceive but little, what violent struggles of dissolv- 
ing nature, what anxious fears, what perplexing doubts, 
might distract and vex his trembling soul, in that awful hour. 
As little do I know, what sudden tides of joy transported 
his exulting spirit, as soon as the vital bands were burst, 
and he found himself in the hands of heavenly guards. With 
what joyful admiration and surprise did he behold that new, 
that strange, that glorious scene, which then opened to him ! 
How soon were his fears banished, and the dolorous griefs 
forgot, which he endured in the body ! What rapturous 
joy possessed him, to hear himself accosted by benign, 
glorious spirits, as a brother and fellow-servant ! What ra- 
vishing pleasure ! to hear his guardian, who had ministered to 
him upon earth, and been witness to his pious care and 
watchfulness, his self-denial and mortification, his godly sor- 
row, his warm devotion, his earnest wrestlings with God, 
and zeal for God's honour and interest; as well as to his 
frailties and follies of life; — to hear such a one assure him 
of divine approbation and ' acceptance in the Beloved ;' 
and, recounting many instances in which he had rescued 



JEt. 47- A GOOD MAN SATISFIED FROM HIMSELF. 143 

him from impending dangers, seen or unseen ; guarded him 
from innumerable evils ; succoured him in hours of tempta- 
tion; assisted his devotions; animated his pious resolutions; 
silenced his fears ; resolved his doubts ; directed his way ; 
prospered his undertakings ; supported him under adver- 
sity ; and brought good to him out of evil ; perhaps, in- 
forming him of the divine care and kindness to his mourn- 
ing widow and fatherless children ! Who can say, what 
sights he saw, different from what he had seen with the eyes 
of flesh ! — or, what sentiments he conceived ; how much 
more just arid true, how much more refined and exalted, 
than those he had entertained in this imperfect state ! How 
much more knowledge did he gain in one hour, than in the 
sixty years of his pilgrimage here ! How much more justly 
was he brought to conceive of God, of his essence, nature, 
perfections, providence, grace, and glory ! What demon- 
strative, yet intuitive knowledge did he quickly attain of 
those sublime mysteries, which in all ages have puzzled men 
of the most acute penetration ! How was he made clearly 
to discern the beautiful harmony of those seeming contra- 
dictions in various passages of divine revelation, which 
have employed the tongues and pens of subtle disputants, 
and occasioned miserable divisions in many Christian 
churches ! Doctrines, which now seem incompatible, such 
as the Divine prescience and human free agency, God's free 
grace and man's free will, the Father begetting and the Son 
begotten, the Spirit proceeding from both, a Trinity in Unity, 
and many other seeming paradoxes, how are his perplexities 
concerning them for ever done away ! 

A GOOD MAN SATISFIED FROM HIMSELF. 

Lord's-clay, April 8, 1739- Solomon says — ' A good 
man shall be satisfied from himself/ Surely, he alone is a 
good man, who loves God above all ; — who hath devoted 
himself, his all, unto God ; — who studies to know the mind 



144 A GOOD MAN SATISFIED FROM HIMSELF. 1739 

of God, and endeaw>urs to have his temper and conduct 
conformed thereto; — who entirely resigns himself to the 
divine disposal in health and sickness, in prosperity and ad- 
versity, in life and death ;— who is devout towards God, and 
benevolent towards men : and all this, from a prevailing love 
to God, and desire in all things to do what is pleasing in 
his sight ; yet, when he hath done all, expects not accept- 
ance with God on the score of his own performances, but 
through faith in Christ, and for the sake of what the Saviour 
hath done and suffered for him. This is the good man, who 
shall be satisfied primarily from God, and in some sense, 
shall be also satisfied from himself. It is, for instance, a 
satisfying consideration to a good man, that he hath made 
his peace zvith God. Some may object to this manner of 
expression, that not we, but Christ, makes our peace with 
God ; for, l he is our peace/ It is true, Christ is the great 
peace-maker, who reconciles God to man, by ' bearing our 
sins on his own body on the tree,' and by making ' continual 
intercession for us ;' but we make our peace with God, as 
we are actors therein ; for, through the Spirit, we accept of 
Christ with a full consent of will, and exert all our powers 
in confessing sin, renouncing and forsaking all sin, bitterly 
sorrowing for sinful compliances, firmly resolving against all 
sin for the future, embracing Christ in all his mediatorial 
offices for redemption and salvation, and earnestly praying 
to God for pardon, acceptance, and eternal life. 

It is a farther satisfaction to a good man, that having 
made his peace with God, he hath secured his best, his ever- 
lasting interest. It must be his daily and perpetual feast, to 
enjoy an habitual hope of everlasting felicity, when he hath 
run his Christian race, and finished his probationary course. 
He will be often looking beyond the veil, and be taking a 
pleasing, though very imperfect, survey of the glory that is 
to be revealed. This spreads an habitual cheerfulness over 
his temper, and gives him vastly the advantage over those, 



j£t. 47. A GOOD MAN SATISFIED FROM HIMSELF. 145 

who derive all their comforts aiid hopes from the objects of 
sense, and confine them to this present state of existence. 
Whatever his afflictions or dangers are, he is always safe 
under the divine protection and care. Pain and sickness, 
losses and disappointments, the death of near and dear 
friends, poverty and disgrace, they ' all work together for his 
good,' mend the frame of his mind, lead him nearer to God 
in more frequent and sweet communion, exercise and in- 
crease his faith and trust in God, and thankfulness to him. 
His grateful reflections will be such as these: — "What 
though pains of body now break my rest, ' and fill me with 
tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day/ they are 
but temporary ; l there remains a rest for the people of 
God/ and it remains for me ! Some of those with whom I 
have entrusted part of my worldly substance, disappoint my 
expectation; ' riches make themselves wings and flee away/ 
but, my best ' treasure is in heaven, in bags which wax not 
old/ which can never be lost. What though friends die, 
my God, my Saviour lives, ' whom having not seen, I love 
above all !' Friends are that, and that only to me, which 
God makes them ; and when their assistance and usefulness 
cease, still in an all-sufficient God ' I have all things and 
abound.' Neither poverty nor disgrace can make me miser- 
able, whilst I have the promise that I ' shall not want any 
good thing/ that ' no good thing will be withheld from me ;' 
and stand approved of my own conscience, and of my Sove- 
reign Judge, who ' will bring forth my judgment as the 
light, and my righteousness as the noon-day.'" 

It is no small satisfaction to a good man, to see the fruits 
of his pious labours. Though many pious parents see 
cause to lament, that ( their house is not so with God' as 
they could wish ; yet there are but few, if any, who do not 
see some good fruit of their good examples, and pious in- 
structions to children, servants, or those about them. ' The 

L 



146 A GOOD MAN SATISFIED FROM HIMSELF. 1739* 

righteous' not only i is/ but appears in the eye of the world, 
1 more excellent than his neighbour.' The presence of a 
good man often bridles the tongue of the profane. His 
sudden appearance sometimes restrains a torrent of cursing 
and swearing. When he observes these things, it cannot 
but yield him a secret and sweet delight, and is an evident 
proof, that goodness is so awful, as to bear its testimony in 
the breasts of the wicked. It is a pleasure to him to curb 
wickedness, where he cannot cure it : but, it is a greater 
satisfaction to reform the vicious. Accordingly, when he 
sees his children, under his pious care and culture, Hot only 
imbibing religious principles ; but, their hearts, as clay or 
wax turned to the seal, early receiving the best impressions ; 
formed to holiness, and manifesting their fear of God, by 
their tenderness of displeasing him, and the inward power of 
vital religion ; his heart is hereby filled with such pleasures 
as the men of the world are strangers to ; and, overflowing 
with gratitude to the God of grace, he turns his prayers into 
devout praises. 

A good man hath sweet satisfaction and delight in secret 
converse with himself and with his God. Having 'a con- 
science void of offence/ a * heart' that does ' not reproach' 
him, he can spend hours in conversing with himself, with 
more solid satisfaction, than others can find in the conversa- 
tion of their most intimate friends. With the greatest com- 
placency he recounts his mercies ; ascribes them all to the 
unmerited bounty of his heavenly Father ; receives them as 
tokens of his paternal care, and fruits of his covenant-love ; 
thus, his relish of them is exceedingly heightened, and he at 
once delightfully enjoys both himself and his God. When 
walking or riding alone, he views the works of nature with 
devout contemplation, Every herb, or plant, or tree, or 
animal, bears evident signatures of the wisdom, power, and 
goodness of God, and so adds wings to his faith, fires his 
love, and draws forth his soul in holy admiration and long- 



jFt.47' A PEOSPECT OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. 147 

ing desires after a clearer knowledge and a fuller enjoyment 
of the great Author. He marks and admires that rich and 
infinite variety with which the earth is crowned ; and with 
what exquisite skill its productions are formed and adapted 
to the several ends or designs of the Creator : but in him- 
self, his material and immaterial part, he finds more surpris- 
ing wonders. Thus, ' a good man' is ' satisfied from him- 
self as the instrument, but God is the author of all his bliss. 

DESIRING TO SEE JESUS. 

Lord's-day, August 5, 1/39. O my soul, do I ' desire 
to see Jesus :' Do I take pleasure in attending those ordi- 
nances, where i Christ is evidently set forth/ — where the glo- 
ries of his person, and the riches of his grace, are displayed ? 
Do I often think of him in my retirements ; and, does my 
heart go out with warm desires after him r Do I attend to 
his word with this view — that I may know more of Jesus, 
bear his image more, and be formed to a greater meetness 
for the vision and enjoyment of him in heaven ? Am I going 
now, to his table, that 1 may see more of his loveliness, dis- 
cern more clearly my interest in him, and derive richer com- 
munications of strength and comfort from him .? Is it the 
language of my heart — Oh ! that I may have an humbling, 
transforming sight of Clnist: oh! that 1 may have such an 
interview with him, as to increase my love to him, and in- 
spire me with zeal for his honour. If I thus ' wait' upon 
the Lord, I l shall not be ashamed.' ' Their hearts shall re- 
joice that' thus ' seek him.' 

Evening. Blessed be God, I have been this day favoured 
with a glimpse of Jesus at his table. My soul was enlarged 
with ardent love and longing desire. ' Or ever I was aware, 
my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadab.' 

A PROSPECT OF THE NEW JERUSALEM, 

Ascend, my soul, on Pisgah stand, 
From Nebo, view the promis'd land ; 
L 2 



148 A PROSPECT OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. 1739- 

Direct thine* eye up, far above, 

Beyond where rolling planets move 

In circling orb's ; more distant far 

Than the remotest fixed star; 

There, glist'ring with a light divine, 

Like jasper-stone, or chrystalline, 

And spangl'd o'er with many a gem, 

Stands, glorious New Jerusalem : 

Imperial palace of my God, 

Twelve thousand furlongs long and broad; 

Four-square the plan ; — surprising sight ! 

Of equal length, and breadth, and height! 

Pellucid pearls, of various ray, 

The city's twelve foundations lay ; 

Row above row, in order rise ; 

Of various dye, of various size : 

Jasper and sapphire thou shalt view, 

With chalcedony's beauteous hue ; 

Sardonyx, emerald, sardius bright, 

The beryl, and the chrysolite ; 

Then, topaz, jacinth, chrysophrase, 

And amethyst of purple blaze. 

On these, a wall, built great and high, 

Defies or force or treachery. 

On hinges turn'd, of massive gold, 

Twelve gates their pearly leaves unfold ; 

Each gate one pearl; on each side, three; 

Arrang'd in perfect symmetry ; 

At which, by turns, at God's command, 

Each at his post, twelve angels stand. 

Her streets the purest gold surpass, 

More brilliant than transparent glass. 

No need of local temple there, 

Where God and Christ are ever near. 



Mt. 47- A PROSPECT OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. 149 
Their temple, God, the great I AM ; 
Their temple is the glorious Lamb. 
No need of sun, or paler moon, 
Where, brighter than the brightest noon, 
Jehovah's dazzling glories shine, 
And the Lamb scatters rays divine. 
Quitting this squalid, darksome cell, 
There, in his palace thou shalt dwell ; 
Purer thyself, and brighter far, 
Than sweet Aurora's social star; 
Nor lucid beams of Sol compare 
With heav'nly splendours thou shalt wear. 

Wake then, my drowsy, slumb'ring soul ! 
Who but an owl, or bat, or mole, 
Would linger here in shades of night, 
When call'd to dwell in heav'nly light ! 
Ah ! look not on the downwaid way, 
Where thousands in the desart stray. 
Mount on the wing, and upward* soar, 
Till earthly scenes appear no more. 
Wrapt up in flames of sacred love, 
Triumphant rise to realms above. 
Yield not thy heart to mortals here ; 
Oh! see what beauty triumphs there. 
Place not thy all in splendid dust — 
The prey of thieves, of chance, of rust : 
Delusive treasures ! here to-day, 
To-morrow wing'd and fled away. 
Come, view the rich, exhaustless mine*, 
To thee, thy bounteous Lord assigns ; 
So large, so boundless is the store, 
My soul can ask, can wish no more. 
Do lands and goodly buildings fire 
Thine eager wish, thy warm desire ? 
L 3 



150 A PROSPECT OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. 1739- 

Look up, and ponder well thy share 
In realms above ; art thou not heir 
To an inheritance in light ? 
To mansions built by th' Infinite ? 

On earth thy fancy often roves 
To calm retreats, gardens, or groves ; 
Oft hast thou felt what pleasures yield 
The bleating flock, the waving field, 
The lowing herd : but, what are these, 
Compar'd with those life-giving trees, 
Whose charming rows on either side, 
Where living waters gently glide, 
Branches of healing fruit expand ; 
Which lure the eye, and tempt the hand j 
Whose taste excels the richest wine ; 
Infusing life and joy divine ! 
There, on the soft enamell'd floors, 
Flora surprising beauties pours ; 
There, roofs with grapy clusters hung, 
(Passing the bow'r, fam'd Milton sung, 
Of Paradise, once sweet and fair ; 
The mansion of the favourite pair ;) 
HeavVs blissful natives entertain, 
All scatter'd o'er the verdant plain ; 
Cherub, and seraph, thrones and powr's ; 
With myriads from this world of ours, 
Redeemed souls, by grace renew'd, 
Their robes made white in Jesus 7 blood. 
What hallow'd joys their breasts inspire, 
While sole, or social, they retire, 
For vari'd bliss, from regal seats, 
To these delicious, pure retreats, 
Made vocal with melodious lays, 
Sung to the bounteous Author's praise ! 



JEt. 47. MERCIES AND THANKS. 151 

MERCIES ATSD THANKS. 

Lord's-day, August 26, 1739. Twenty years I have 
now worn the conjugal yoke ; and, blessed be God, it hath 
been an easy yoke. A thousand family blessings I have re- 
ceived, since the weight of family cares hath rested on my 
hand. A thousand instances of protection in danger, di- 
rection in perplexity, relief under fears, and supply of wants, 
hath there been, by providential interposition, for me and 
mine. I have found ' the ways of the Lord to be mercy and 
truth.' His 'goodness and mercy have followed me all my 
days.' He hath not seen fit to give me abundance ; but, 
blessed be his name, he hath given me a sufficiency. He 
hath not lifted me up above a dependance on his care, nor 
ever left me destitute of a supply. In straits, a way of 
enlargement hath always been opened to me, and not sel- 
dom by means unthought of, and from a quarter the most 
unlikely. I have always found, and still find, it is good for 
me to ' trust in the Lord with all my heart ; and lean not unto 
my own understanding ;' but ' in ail my ways to acknow- 
ledge him.' My mistakes and difficulties are many, which 
my folly and rash inadvertency have plunged me into; 'but 
out of them all the Lord delivered me.' That God, who 
hath delivered, and doth deliver, will still deliver me, if I 
trust in him. I have been exercised with many afflictions in 
these last twenty years ; particularly by the death of five chil- 
dren, all dear to me, especially the two last. The rending 
off such branches, gave my heart sensations the most pain- 
ful. Blessed be God, who enabled me quickly, and, I 
hope, entirely to submit, without a murmuring word or re- 
pining thought ; — because it was his will — because it was 
his hand. Many losses in trade I have also sustained, but they 
were quickly made up to my great advantage. Trials of 
bodily pain I have also had^ but these have been light and 
few, in comparison with my deserts. I expect greater trials 
than any I have yet encountered. Blessed be God, the 

l 4 



J52 MEItCIES AND THANKS. 1739« 

prospect of passing * through the valley of the shadow of 
death* is not now terrible. ' I know whom I have believ- 
ed,' and have at present ' a good hope through grace/ that 
'he will keep what I have committed to him;' yea, that 
' he is my God for ever and ever, and will be my guide 
even unto death.' Though I am weak, impotent, fickle, 
and unstable in myself, though in myself I have nothing to 
rely on to bear up my sinking spirits in the awful hour, or 
to recommend me to the mercy and approbation of my 
Judge in the decisive day ; yet ' in the Lord have I righte- 
ousness and strength.' Therefore, I will ' trust in the Lord 
forever;' yea, I will 'rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no 
confidence in the flesh/ Blessed be God, I have, in innumer- 
able instances, felt his drawing power, and experienced a 
concurrence of my will and affections. There is nothing, 
I think I more ardently desire, than to have all the powers 
of my soul brought to an entire compliance with his will in 
all things, that God may be glorified, and ' Christ may 
be magnified in me both in life and in death.' I am, I trust, 
made willing to be abased, if God may thereby be exalted. 
I can freely acknowledge myself to be ' less than nothing,' 
and confess that 'in my best estate I am altogether vanity.' 
I am willing to bear the shame of my sinfulness, both ori- 
ginal and actual, and give unto God the sole praise of 
whatsoever good his free grace hath wrought in me, or by 
me. My best services, as they proceed from me, I see are 
very imperfect and mixed with sin ; but, through the inter- 
cession of Christ, they ' are a sweet odour, a sacrifice ac- 
ceptable and well-pleasing unto God.' Though 'I know no- 
thing by myself,' I have no sin that I either allow or persist 
in ; none, but what I have, I trust, sincerely repented of and 
turned from ; and make it my daily endeavour to ' fulfif 
all righteousness, and to perfect holiness in the fear of 
God;' 'yet am I not hereby justified.' No; lam 'jus- 
tified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in 



JEt.47. MERCIES AND THANKS. 153 

Christ Jesus/ I fonnd all my hopes of salvation in the full 
satisfaction he made to divine justice, by his active and 
passive obedience. As in our nature and stead * he ful- 
filled all righteousness/ and bore the wrath and vengeance 
of the Almighty due to us for sin, and hath freely offered 
the glorious fruits of his purchase ' to as many as believ* 
on him,' so I believe, that through my faith, which ' is the 
gift of God/ his righteousness shall be, and is imputed to 
me, as though I myself had perfectly fulfilled the law in my 
own person, and that I shall be saved * from the wrath to 
come / yea, that I have now a right to all the privileges of 
the sons of God ; am, through adorable grace, * an heir ot 
God, and a joint heir with Jesus Christ / and that ' when 
Christ, who is my life, shall appear, then shall I also appear 
with him in glory/ 

This thought transporting pleasure gives — 
I know my dear Redeemer lives ; 
And standing, at the latter day, 
On earth, his glories shall display : 

And though this goodly, mortal frame, 
Sink to the dust, from whence it came ; 
Though buried in the silent tomb, 
Worms shall my skin and flesh consume : 

Yet, on that happy, rising morn, 
New life this body shall adorn ; 
These active pow'rs refin'd shall be, 
And God my Saviour I shall see. 

Though perish'd all my cold remains ; 
Though all consum'd my heart and reins ; 
Yet, for myself, my wond'ring eyes 
Shall God behold with glad surprise. 

But, though I have this cheerful hope now, whilst deatk 
is viewed at a distance, and I am enjoying sound health 
of body, vivacity of spirits, and prosperity in temporal 



154 COUNSEL ANB COMFORT TO THE AFFLICTED. 1/39. 

affairs ; vet, who knows how different an effect death, with 
its attending horrors, may have on my mind, when it must 
be viewed in a nearer prospect : Suppose I should die of a 
lingering disease, see my flesh wasting daily, be exercised 
with acute pains, have wearisome days and nights appointed 
unto me for a long time, and feel myself die by slow de- 
grees. — Suppose infinite Wisdom should likewise blast the 
fruit of all my diligent endeavours, and reduce me to po- 
verty and contempt, so as to have it said of me — This is 
he that made such a figure in the world ! — Add to all 
this, suppose my children, or any of them, should take bad 
courses, and fall into scandalous sins, or deep distress, while 
I were unable to afford them necessary relief: how would 
such circumstances increase the anguish of my mind ! How 
could my feeble spirit sustain such accumulated burdens ! 
Certainly, I have not in myself power equal to such a pres- 
sure : but, is not God all-sufficient I and, hath he not pro- 
mised — ' as thy day is, so shall thy strength be :'" Faith can 
overcome, and triumph over the greatest difficulties. O my 
soul, be not faithless then, but believing. Let it be my 
daily care to approve my heart and ways unto God, and ' have 
always, a conscience void of offence toward God, and 
toward men.'' ' Id the Lord have I righteousness and 
strength.'* ' I will say of the Lord, he is my rock, and my 
fortress, my God in whom I will trust, my buckler, the horn 
of my salvation and my high tower/ ( They that trust in 
the Lord, shall be as Mount Sion, which cannot be remov- 
ed, but abideth for ever.' 

COUNSEL AXD COMFORT TO THE AFFLICTED. 

To Miss Philipps.* 

Saturday, October 20, 173ft. 

DEAR COUSIN, 

I have been looking up to him, who is able to 'heal all 
manner of sickness and all manner of disease.'' Tell your sister 

* Of Bromyard; 



jEt.47. COUNSEL AND COMFORT TO THE AFFLICTED. 155 

that Jesus is as able now to raise even from the dead, as he 
was in the days of his flesh, and as truly says to us now, as 
he did to the father of him who had the dumb and deaf 
spirit — ' If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him 
that belie vein.' He says to every one of us — e Ye believe in 
God, believe also in me.' Call upon the name of the Lord 
in this hour of distress. He can do what neither friends nor 
physicians can do. ' All power is his, both in heaven and in 
earth.' Life and death are at his disposal. Surely, the 
power he had on earth is not diminished since his trium- 
phant ascension to the Father's right hand. With what 
' boldness' may we now ' enter into the holiest by the blood 
of Jesus :' Is not this the ' new and living way, which he 
hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, his 
flesh,' that we may now bring our wants and burdens, our 
complaints and distresses, to Jesus our friend, yea our bro- 
ther; persuaded that i in him dwelleth all the fulness of the 
Godnead bodily r' Oh ! what a privilege to have such a 
friend, such a brother. If the Lord help us not, what can 
creatures do for us, how dear, how sympathizing, how skil- 
ful soever? I hope your sister, under present trials, can 
look up to him as her God and Saviour. 1 hope she can 
say with Thomas — i My Lord, and my God!' I hope she 
hath fled, and is now ' flying for refuge' to him, as the ' hope 
set before her;' and then she may cheerfully say — Come 
life,, come death ; nothing can come amiss to me. I hope 
you, dear cousin, are continually casting ' all your burdens 
on the Lord, who will sustain you.' ' He is faithful who 
hath promised.' You have, I doubt not, absolutely resigned 
your sister, yourself, all your important interests to him, 
who does all things well and wisely. I hope my dear and 
honoured aunt is learning by this providence to trust abso- 
lutely in the infallible promise, and unchangeable covenant; 
and, under a sense of her manifold imperfections, to trust in 
him, whose righteousness is perfect, and to go to him for 



156 HEAVENLY-M1NDEDNESS. 1746. 

pardon, for faith, for submission, for consolation, for every 
thing she wants, or imagines she wants. Before we die, it 
is good to have our passions dead, our affections mortified 
to every thing below the sun — taken off from the creature, 
and fixed on the great and good Creator. It is kind 
therefore in God to give us now and then a more sensible 
conviction how unsatisfactory and uncertain created com- 
forts are, that we may thereby be led, or even driven, to 
centre in an unchangeable God — the only proper rest of 
souls. Oh ! that every providence, as well as every ordi- 
nance, may prove a means of lifting us up to the top of the 
mount, to behold the glory of him, l who hath loved us, and 
washed us in his blood !' There, may he meet us, and fill 
us with his love, ' cover us with the robe of his perfect 
' righteousness/ l and make us sit together in heavenly 
places in Christ Jesus.' Oh ! how i happy are the people 
that are in such a case/ What can they lack, what have 
they to fear, in time, or through all eternity ? When once 
their interest in him is cleared up, they may, and must, ' re- 
joice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.' May these 
be the happy circumstances of each of your souls. Be as- 
sured, that to commit your present sorrowful case to our 
compassionate Lord, shall be the daily business of 

Your, &c. J. W. 

HEAVENLY-MINDEDNESS. 



To the Rev. R. Pearsall 

Kidderminster, March 14, 1740. 

DEAR BROTHER, 

I am thankful for your's. My life is such a constaut 
hurry, that I could not have thought it so long since I re- 
ceived it : but, though my time and labours are so much en- 
grossed by the world, sure I am, it is not the effect of my 
deliberate choice, or prevailing desire. I very frequently 
leave, with great reluctance, what is more eligible and dear 



Mt. 48. THE GOSPEL CALL. 157 

to my soul, to enter on the concerns of this perishing life, 
aud am dragged into business by the necessity of my circum- 
stances. When I can dismiss all worldly concerns at the 
close of the day, and retire, then I most agreeably enjoy my- 
self ; then I, at times, enjoy some of my dearest, though 
absent friends. Oh ! that I could say — then I enjoy my 
God. I hope, sometimes I do. Some glimpses I had of 
him last winter, which shot such piercing rays, as I know 
could come from none but him. Indeed, it hath been, as 
Mr. Flavel often says — Rara hora, brevis mora.* Oh ! that 
1 could walk with him in a more steady, uniform manner. 
Such influences of his grace, such smiles of his pleased, 
pleasing countenance, oh ! how have they revived my heart, 
and what a serenity and sweetness have they diffused 
over all my soul. How have they eclipsed all created 
glories, and enabled me to look upon and use this world 
with indifference ! Yea, such remarkable interpositions of 
his providence in my favour, and so many of them have I 
experienced, as may well confirm my humble trust, and 
even confidence in him, whatsoever difficulties he may be 
pleased to exercise me with. Well do I know, that he 
careth for me, even for me, and interests himself in my 
affairs. ' Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within 
me bless his holy name !' 

Your, &c. J. W. 

THE GOSPEL CALL. 
To his daughter Phebe.f 

Kidderminster, June 7, 1740. 

DEAR CHILD, 

Notwithstanding your long absence, you are not forgot- 
ten. I bear you daily on my thoughts, am solicitous for 
your welfare, and recommend you to His care, who alone is 
able to preserve you. Some weeks ago you sent me word 

* Choice the season, short the stay. 

f She was then on a visit at Warminster. 



158 THE GOSPEL CALL. 1740. 

that you were well ;* I rejoice: but, I wish to know how 
your bodily health is now ; and more especially, how your 
soul prospers. You were by nature, fast asleep in sin, and 
under the power of spiritual death. The call of the gospel 
is — ' Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, 
and Christ shall give thee light/ Now let me ask you — 
Are you awakened out of this sleepy state ? Are you risen 
from this state of death ? Do you not only fear to sin 
against God, but do you also love him ; and that above all : 
better than me, or your mother, or sisters, or gay clothing, 
or the esteem of the world ? Are his favours more to you 
than riches, honours, and pleasures ? Is Jesus the Saviour 
' altogether lovely' in your estimation, even ' the chiefest 
among ten thousand' ? Have you been deeply sensible of 
your need of him ; of your lost state by reason of sin; and 
are you thoroughly humbled for it ? Is your's ' a broken 
heart/ and i a contrite spirit' ? Have you seen the suitable- 
ness of the Saviour ; his ability to save to the uttermost, and 
his resolution in no wise to cast out any that come to him f 
Have you thereupon embraced him in all his offices ; relying 
on his conduct and instruction ; his propitiatory sacrifice, to 
atone for sins ; his meritorious righteousness, to justify you j 
and his prevalent intercession, to recommend both your per- 
son and services to the divine acceptance ? Do you look 
for salvation in no other way, and by no other name; love 
him, though unseen ; and rejoice in him with a sacred joy ? 
At least, is it your supreme desire and earnest endeavour so 
to do ; and your sincere and pungent grief, when you fall 
short of it ? My dear child ! it is * my heart's desire and 
prayer' 'that you might be saved;' and in order to it that you 
may be in Christ ; united to him ; a new creature. This is 
not in my power to accomplish for you, or I would do it : I 
can but direct, and 'put you in mind of these things/ and 
pray for you. But, you have a Father in heaven, with whom 
is the * the residue of the Spirit/ which he will not fail to 



-,£7. 48. OF ' THE WATER OF LIFE.' 159 

give to them that ask him : none teacheth like him : seek 
him, and he will be found of you ; forsake him, and he will 
forsake you : let your constant, earnest addresses, there- 
fore, be to him, in the name of Christ, whom he ' heareth al- 
ways.' Ply the throne of grace with unwearied importunity ; 
and then, as certainly as God is able, you will find him ready 
and willing to do for you ' exceeding abundantly above all 
that you ask or think :' but, the frame of your heart, and 
the whole conduct of your life, must correspond with this 
disposition. Instantly suppress every rising lust, pride, 
envy, malice, uncharitableness, and love of this world in any 
shape. By prayer, meditation, and communion with your 
own heart, keep up daily, frequent, intercourse with heaven. 
So shall you go on ' from strength to strength :' and, be as- 
sured, if you thus ' seek first the kingdom and righteousness 
of God, all other things shall be added to you.' — I commend 
you to the divine blessing, providence and grace, and am, 
my dear, your affectionate father, 

J.W, 

OF ' THE WATER OF LIFE.' 
To the same. 

Kidderminster, July 24, 1740. 

DEAR CHILD, 

I doubt not your stay so long at Warminster hath been 
very agreeable to you, and that you have found many 
friends in a strange place : and, I doubt not, you have been 
careful to manifest your gratitude where you have received 
favours. As you are" now about to return, may you be under 
the care, protection, and blessing of Him who is able to se- 
cure you from all dangers ; and may you return much im- 
proved in every Christian grace and virtue, and nearer to the 
kingdom of heaven than when you left us. Old Mrs. Walker 
is dying, and it is thought will see the world of spirits before 
the next sun-rising. Amazing sight ! f Blessed are they' 
that shall sit down at < the marriage-supper of the Lamb/ 



IfjO THE WISDOM OF NUMBERING OUR DAYS. 1740. 

May you and I be trappy, welcome guests, there ! Are we 
not invited ? Do not ' the Spirit and the Bride say — Come?' 
And may not * whosoever will/ come and ' take the wa- 
ter of life freely!' What is that' 'water of life .^ What- 
ever it be, it is that which our Lord hath to give: for he 
saith to the woman of Sychar — * If thou knewest the gift of 
God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; 
thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given 
thee living water/ I hope you have known this ' gift of 
God ;' that you have asked for, and have tasted of this i living 
water/ which surely, must be that righteousness which the 
Lord is ; and which he imputes to as many as believe in and 
embrace him as their Lord and Saviour, their Righteousness, 
their Peace, their Advocate, their Treasure, their Bride- 
groom, their All in all. I designed but a few lines, but it 
is with difficulty I now withdraw my hand. May a gracious 
Providence guard all your steps, and attend my dear chilcl 
through every stage of life, and never leave you till it has 
placed you ' before the throne' in bliss. I have no great inhe- 
ritance for you upon earth : may you be ' begotten again' 'to 
an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled ;' there may you 
be for ever a joyful associate with him who now is, dear 

child, your affectionate father, 

J. W, 

THE WISDOM OF NUMBERING OUR DAYS. 

LorcCs-day, August 10, 1740. ' So teach us to number 
our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.' Alas ! 
how short is human life, when extended to its utmost length* j 
and how very uncertain whether my life will be so pro- 
tracted ! The period of it is indeed certain to him that gave 
and supports it. The number of my days is written in the 
book of God's decrees ; i he hath appointed its bounds, 
which I cannot pass/ but hath wisely concealed it from my 



Psalm xc. 10. 



JEt. 48. THE WISDOM OF NUMBERING OUR DAYS. l6l 

knowledge. To me it is altogether uncertain, in which year, 
month, or day I must make my exit from the stage of this 
mortal life. What proportion does this life bear to succeed- 
ing eternity ? What proportion do mortal joys bear to never 
ending misery ; or, these ' light afflictions', l the sufferings 
of this present time/ to ' the glory that shall be revealed in 
us,' the ' far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory V 
The work of life is greatly important, and how little of it is 
already done! Consider, O my soul, these two things — 
what have I been doing ; and, what doth my hand find to 
do ? — What have I been doing ? Let conscience now give 
a faithful account. Much business lies on my hands in the 
affairs and concerns of this life : it is my prevailing desire 
to have my heart, at least, less taken up therewith. Sure I 
am, studies of a religious nature are more delightful to me 
than worldly pursuits. I have never more enjoyment of 
myself than in reading or musing on things of a religious 
tendency. But, still, what have I actually been doing ? I 
thijik two-thirds of my waking time have been taken up in 
worldly pursuits of one kind or other. I can say, I have 
therein of late been reluctant ; and a sense of duty to be di- 
ligent in my calling, hath been a much stronger motive with 
me, for many years, than the love of gain, or desire of in- 
crease. I have spent, perhaps, one-tenth part of my time 
in bodily refreshments, which is not so much, I hope, as 
hath been laid out in religious exercises, and means for im- 
proving my mind. But, alas! how little of my time hath 
been filled up with secret prayer and devout meditation ! 
How little have I done in combating with my corruptions 
and lusts ! How little, in cherishing Christian graces and 
holy dispositions ! Yet, I hope, I find and feel my corrup- 
tions are grown weaker ; and my temptations are more re- 
sisted, and more easily overcome, than formerly. The Lord 
Jesus Christ was never more precious to me: my faith in 

M 



162 MEDITATION AMONG THE TOMBS. 1740, 

him was never more*lively, or more strong : my zeal for his 
'honour was, I hope, never more genuine. My pride was 
never more mortified : I never w r as more disposed to strip 
myself of all honour or merit, that God alone might be ex- 
alted. ' The world' was never more e crucified to me/ or 
* I unto the world,' and this, I hope, ' by the cross of my 
Lord Jesus Christ.' Never was I more careful to ' redeem 
the time/ or more concerned at mispending it : but, still, I 
am frequently conscious of too much remissness in the duties 
of religion, as well as in my secular calling. ' By the grace 
of God 1 am what I am.' — Well then, what have I to do ? 
To be more diligent in my worldly business, that I may re- 
deem the more time from it : to be more in reading the 
scriptures and practical divinity, and in meditation and secret 
prayer : to be more mindful of the shortness and uncer- 
tainty of life, and the unsatisfying nature of all created 
comforts ; and, , to converse more with death and the world 
of spirits ; — more to excercise an unshaken trust in God, in 
his providence and promises, in his care and faithfulness : 
more to instruct, exhort, watch over, and pray for my 
children : more to govern my passions, and maintain a 
calmness or meekness of spirit, and equanimity, amidst all 
the little provocations and disappointments I meet with. 
Lord, ' who is sufficient for these things ?' ' Thy grace is 
sufficient for me.' i I can do all things through Christ which 
strengtheneth me.' 

MEDITATION AMONG THE TOMBS. 

Tuesday, September 2, 1740. I have been this evening 
in the church-yard, conversing, as it w r ere, with those who 
cannot now converse with me. There I found dear Mr. 
Spilsbury,* of venerable memory, who ' being dead, yet 



* To the note at page 3, it may here be added that Dr. Latham^ 
of Findern near Derby, in his sermon preached at Kidderminster, on 
the death of the Rev. M. Bradsbaw, used this emphatic language :— 



JEt. 48. MEDITATION AMON,G THE TOMBS. l6S 

speaketh/ A vigilant pastor was he. Blessed saint ! whose 
1 works follow' him. — There too, I found my dear father, 
with whom I have often taken sweet counsel. A father of 
precious memory to me. Blessed be God! for his instruc- 
tions ; and for his corrections too, even the severest of them. 
It grieves me to think that ever I grieved him ; but he hath 
forgiven me. Does he in heaven hear how I am going on \ 
Ah ! how much does he hear amiss of me ! May I so be- 
have as to increase his joy ? — There also, I found five dear, 
delightful children. How much did I promise myself from 
them ! and while continued with me, how much did I en- 
joy in them ! Sweet babes ! you all, I trust, are not only 
delivered from the burden of the flesh, and from a world of 
guilt and grief; but are employed in the high praises of 
your bountiful Creator, your compassiouate Redeemer, and 
glorious Sanctifier. Though here you knew, and were ca- 
pable of knowing, but little ; yet now you ' see,' not as I, 
' through a glass darkly, but face to face/ and are for ever 
ravished with divine love. How does the glorified spirit of 
your dear grandfather embrace your kindred spirits, and 
teach you some of the songs of heaven ! but, how little do 
/ know of your business or blessedness ! When shall the 

u You can never lose the idea of your former pastor, the late Rev. F. 
" Spilsbury, whose graceful and familiar address from the pulpit, and 
" wise and prudent conduct out of it, gave him so much weight and 
" influence in his place. Of his superior merit, we had the highest 
" testimony from that great man, his uncle, Bishop Hall, Master of Pem- 
" broke College, in Oxford, and Margaret Professor ; who frequently 
" resided in his family, and had the attendance of the elergy there a£ 
" the same time that his worthy nephew, a^ a dissenting minister, offi- 
" eiated among you at the meeting. Could Mr. Spilsbury v have satis- 
" fied himself in the terms of conformity, every one must be sensible 
" of the advantages his relative gave him for preferment ; but, when 
" the good bishop could not serve him in that way, he gave him the last 
". testimony of his affection and respect, in making him his exesutor," 

M £ 



164 CONCERN FOR A CHILD'S WELFARE. 1740-1. 

day come, that I shall be admitted to partake of your joys i 
I will say with Mr. Baxter — 

" May such a sinful worm as I 

" Aspire and ascend so high ? 

" That kingdom's mine, in hope and right, 

" Which you possess in love and sight. 

" That God, that Christ hath loved me, 

" Whose glory your blest eyes do see." 

And with Mr. Mason*— 

" O happy place ! When shall I be, 
" My God, with thee, to see thy face V 9 

CONCERN FOR A CHILD'S SPIRITUAL WELFARE. 

To his Daughter Phebe. 

November 8, 1740. 

Dear child! dear Phebe ! how shall I express 
My kind concern, my anxious care for thee ! 

Admit the counsel a fond parent gives ; 
Dear and important is thy bliss to me. 

Trust his experience who hath surely found 

Nor honours, wealth, nor pleasures e'en the best, 

Nor social joys, nor ought below the skies, 
Can fill the soul with solid, lasting rest. 

Nothing but heav'nly grace and love divine, 
A sense of pardon through the Saviour's blood, 

A soul refin'd and breathing after God, 

Friendship with Heav'n, and glory in the bud ; — 

Nothing but these, the conscience can allay, 
And calm the tumults of a troubled mind : 

Though thrilling pain, or pressing fears invade, 
Support from these God's children ever find. 



* This is a misnomer, see page 53. 



Alt. 49- HIS EFFORTS FOR THE POOR. 165 

But, oh ! beware, good-nature looks like grace, 

A fair profession like sincerity ; 
Devout and social duties merely paid, 

Pass for religion in a creature's eye. 

The pois'nous force of tin must be subdu'd ; 

God's image in thy soul must be restor'd : 
If these be wanting, thy religion's vain ; — 

Nor tears, nor pray'rs, true comfort can afford : 

But tears and pray'rs, believe me ! cannot fail, 

If they be persevering and sincere, 
To gain that blessing Christ alone can give, 

Who ever lends to such a gracious ear : 

His blessing then, will all thy paths attend, 

Will safety here, and solid peace insure : 
His righteousness will cover all thy sins ; 

And thy salvation finally secure. 

HIS EFFORTS FOR THE POOR. 

Saturday, March 21, 1741. How wonderfully have I 
been provided for, these last six months ! Many kind and 
remarkable interpositions have I experienced ! I have kept 
on a large trade. The wants and cries of the poor have 
moved and prevailed with me to employ many more than 
my prospect of a demand for goods required, or the rules of 
common prudence would justify ; so that I have lived in 
almost continual expectation of straits, and yet have been 
continually relieved, and often in a way quite unforeseen and 
unprojected by me. Still, I have been enabled to believe 
and trust the all-sufficiency and faithfulness of my good 
God, who hath never failed, but generally outdone my ex- 
pectation. It hath been a time of remarkable deadness of 
trade by reason of the scarcity and dearness of provisions, 
and yet my trade has been surprisingly large : — 

M 3 



166 HIS EFFORTS FOR THE POOR. 

" Is not the hand of God in this? 

" Is not this end divine ? 
" Lord, of success ! thee will I bless, 

" Who on my paths dost shine." * 
Mason. 



1741 



* It appears that in the interim between the date of this article, 
and the subjoined letter, Mr. W. wrote in a strain of pious thank- 
fulness to his brother, the Rev. R. Pearsall, whose excellent counsel 
in reply, it would be injustice to departed worth to withhold from 
publicity. 

Warminster, April 27, 1742. 

DEAR EROTHER, 

I am afraid you will think me long in answeriug your last. I must 
own so good, pious, entertaining a letter deserved an answer much 
sooner, and still deserves one much better than I can give : but I am 
forced with the Swedes to pay in copper, remittances in gold ; and, if 
no better can be had, it must be accepted, or none. I am glad to find, 
in the midst of all the decays of trade round about you, that you have 
been enabled to carry business on with vigour, and that you have been 
capacitated to employ such numbers of hands, which otherwise would 
be in great danger of being idle. It is an honour if God make us in- 
struments of good to those near us, — of keeping off or alleviating that 
distress which otherwise must bear hard upon those who are creatures 
of the same make with ourselves : but, oh ! a great mercy indeed, if 
God by his grace will wean us, and keep us weaned from this world, by 
fixing our faith on a better country, even a heavenly one; and by 
keeping that faith alive and lively in our hearts. It is a pleasing thing 
to review the signal appearances of providence in our favour, and pecu- 
liarly signal they seem, when they take place in those seasons When 
mostly - needed, and tally exactly with our urgencies. Perhaps, how- 
ever, we are favoured with most of such remarkable appearances when 
we take most care to record them to the glory of God, and the esta- 
blishing of our souls in God's ways, and particularly in the method of 
humble trust in God. Now, need I say to my good brother that all 
this is to go along with a rational and a Christian prudence; for our 
graces are not to exclude, but to animate and establish us in the regu- 
lar use of our rational powers. If we give ourselves too great a scope, 
expecting always a remarkable interposition, such a conduct may prove 
a snare. I mention this the rather because it becomes you to consider 



&t. 49. ON SUDDEN DEATft. 167 

ON SUDDEN DEATH. 

Lord's-day, March 22, 1741. On Friday morning, the 
wife of Mr. Daniel Edge # was suddenly taken hence. Be- 
tween two and three o'clock, as Mr. E. told me, they were 
awake and talking together, when she was according to his 
judgment, as well as usual, but by four she died. How loud 
a warning does such a providence carry in it ! ' Therefore, 
be ye also ready, for at such an hour as ye think not the Son 
of man cometh.' I doubt not she was ready for her great 
change, and as such joyfully was she surprised, as soon as 
she closed her eyes in death, with the presence of her glo- 
rious ministering convoy for the realms of immortal bliss ! 
* Blesed are the dead which die in the Lord.' Surely, it is 
some blessedness to have so easy a dissolution. Methinks 
holy souls have little reason to pray to be delivered from 
sudden death : but, well may such refer the manner of their 
separation from a cumbrous load of mortality, entirely to the 
will of their gracious Sovereign. May I be well prepared 
for death ! May all my debts to my fellow-men be punc- 
tually discharged, and my accounts with my great Creator 
be all balanced through the blood of Christ, and then — 

that while you make such a very great quantity of goods beyond what 
you have at any time done, should there be a sudden damp on trade, 
%vhat a damage may it be ! You may not only be obliged to turn off 
great numbers abruptly, but also may find pecuniary demands greater 
than your capital, if not credit, may honestly answer : so that your 
concern for the poor, however laudable, ought to be regulated by a 
prudent prospect to future occurrences. I look on myself as interested 
in this affair, and therefore take the more liberty, because I would 
have you always act consistently, who am, dear brother, your's cordially, 

R. Pearsall. 

* Father of the Rev. John Edge of Stourbridge, who married a 
daughter of the Rev. F, Spilsbury of Kidderminster, and who died, 
July 12, 1777, aged 69. 

M 4 



168 MEDITATION BEFORE THE LORD'S SUPPER. 1741. 

" Come, Lord ! when grace hath made me meet 

u Thy blessed face to see, 

" Release thy pris'ner : oh ! how sweet 

" Would heav'nly freedom be." 

Baxter. 

MEDITATION BEFORE THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

Saturday night, July 4, 1-741. O my soul, I have in 
view an opportunity of commemorating the death of my 
dear Lord Jesus ; yea, I am invited to feast upon his body 
and blood. It is a feast of his own providing. He is the 
master of the feast, and he condescends to sup with his 
guests, that we may sup with him. He gives us himself, 
his righteousness and merits, the fruits of his perfect obedi- 
ence and atoning sacrifice. He gives the pardon of sin, 
peace with God, justification, adoption, sanctification, assu- 
rance of his love, joy in the Holy Ghost, a growing con- 
formity to himself, a growing hatred to sin, a growing love 
to God and holiness, mortification of our lusts, crucifixion 
to the world, victory over temptations and over death itself. 
These we receive in feeding on him by faith, and resting 
upon him. — He sups zcith us. We offer up to him our 
hearts in love and devout affections, in cheerful praise and 
self-dedication ; grieving for our disobedience and ingrati- 
tude to him, and forgetfulness of him, and of his unspeak- 
able love. We rejoice in his love, hope in his mercy, take 
a holy revenge on his murderers, and renew our resolutions 
to behave in a manner more worthy our relation and obli- 
gations to him. Communion presupposes union, and union 
agreement. Am I, then, united to Christ ? Do I love what 
he loves, and hate what he hates ? Are his friends my friends, 
and his enemies my enemies r He that is joined to the Lord 
is ' one Spirit.' Have I the Spirit of Christ r Am I ' led 
by' his ' Spirit :' Thus, have I communion with Christ ! 
but, ah ! what reason have I to ask myself, in Mr. Mason's 
mournful accents — 



JEtA9- MEDITATION BEFORE THE LOKd's SUPPER. l6Q 

11 Where is my faith ? Where is my hope ? 
" Where is my fervent* love ?" 

Alas ! it is with me ' a day of small things/ Yet, I have 
great encouragement, strong and powerful motives, to stir 
up these heavenly graces. Many and great favours have I 
received. What is it to be freed in some good measure 
from the bondage of corruption, the power and dominion of 
sin; and to have a readiness to will that which is good? 
Shall not ' he who hath begun the good work in me, perfect 
it unto the day of Jesus Christ V What is it, to have c a con- 
science void of offence ?' And should not God alone have 
the praise of this ? He found me running astray, and 
brought me back to his fold. He implanted in me a fear 
of displeasing, and a care to please him. Hitherto he hath 
' kept' me ' by his mighty power.' What is it, to enjoy in- 
ward peace and serenity of mind ; many comforts in hand, 
and a joyful hope of infinitely greater in reversion? Surely, 
I have great reason to be thankful, and to praise him for 
spiritual blessings : and, how signal have his mercies been 
to me in temporal favours ! How many and evident to 
me are the interpositions of his kind and bountiful provi- 
dence ! How distressing might mv circumstances now have 
been ! How large was his bounty, and how small my 
deserts ! How many blessings hath God bestowed on me, 
which I never prayed for ! I am grieved for my unthankful- 
ness, but not enough. I might have had the blast of God upon 
my increase ; and, why hath not this been the case ? Oh ! 
let me never forget to make this an offering of praise, and 
present it daily to my gracious God. Many have had their 
substance consumed by devouring flames ; let me not forget 
his preventing goodness and preserving care. What a mercy 
is it, to have suitable friends, and desirable enjoyment of 

* " Wonted/' in Mason. It may here be noticed that this author's 
work is entitled — Spiritual songs : or songs of praise ; with Penitential 
cries to Almighty God, &c. 



170 SANCTIFYING THE LORdVdAY. 1741. 

them ! It is God,*who makes them what they are to me. 
A loving wife and dutiful children are the blessings of God. 
What a mercy to have a sound mind in a sound body ! Oh ? 
that my life may be wholly filled up with obedience, love, 
and praise. 

SANCTIFYING THE LORd's-DAY. 

Lord's-day, November 1, 1741. O my soul, now is a 
time for serious reflection. Sabbaths return, and point out 
to me the will of God — that there should be intercourse be- 
tween heaven and earth. He is calling me off from worldly 
cares and pursuits, to attend to more noble and important 
services. It is his will that I should now rest from toil and 
labour ; and this, in order to my preparation for eternal rest, 
Heaven is my home, my rest; but how indisposed is my 
mind to the joys and praises of the blessed state. Amidst a 
crowd of cares, how are the powers of my soul fettered ! 
How seldom do I look within the veil ! and when I do, 
alas ! how imperfect, how transient is the glance ! How- 
feeble are the aspirations of my soul towards God, though 
he is the centre of my wishes, and the life of all my joys ! 
Lord, \ I have none in heaven or earth' in comparison of 
thee, and yet how cold is my love to thee ! How flat and 
languid my praises of thee .' How fickle and partial is my 
trust in thee ! Sacraments return, and show thy will — that 
there should be intimate, endearing transactions betwixt 
my soul and thy great self. Thou art ready to seal to me 
the covenant, on thy part — to ' be a God to me/ not merely 
as my Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor, but i my Portion,' 
1 my Shield, and my exceeding great Reward ;' — to pardon all 
my sins, to subdue my corruptions, to strengthen me against 
all temptations, by the communications of thy light, and 
life, and love. Thus, thou art ready to make me ' thy work- 
manship,' by changing the bias of my will ; imbittering sin 
to me, enabling me to hate and forsake it ; shewing me my 



-£7.49. SANCTIFYING THE LORd's-DAY. 171 

absolute need of a Saviour, his suitableness and all-suffici^ 
ency, and disposing me to receive and embrace him, and 
trust in him alone for righteousness ; and tuning my heart 
to love and praise. Lord, thou art ready to do all this for 
me ; yea, thou hast in part already done it. Shall I not be 
ready cheerfully and cordially to seal to thee ! Surely, my 
God, I am under the most endearing ties and obligations to 
thee. Though I should refuse to yield myself to thee ; 
though I should neglect thy service, and estrange my heart 
from thee ; yet, still the obligation abides, and I shall be 
found ungrateful and inexcusable : but, O my Lord, both 
duty and interest call upon me to seal to thy covenant, and 
make over myself, my all to thee. I am no where so safe as 
under thy protection ; in no circumstances so happy as in 
the enjoyment of thy love ; and thou art ever ready, when- 
ever I give myself to thee, to make over thyself to me. 
These very covenant-transactions, which convey my heart to 
thee, with all I am and have, give me at the same time, a 
sure claim to thee, as my God, and an interest in thy glori- 
ous perfections : and surely, there is enough in thee to fill 
my soul with peace, and to satisfy every craving desire ! 
What can I wish for, which an interest in God, as my God, 
does not contain ! Do I desire riches ? No. I hope, — I 
believe, — the love of God hath mortified this sordid lust. 
At least, 1 hope my will is so swallowed up in thy will, that 
I desire prosperity and increase of worldly goods, chiefly to 
increase my public usefulness, and be capacitated to do 
more for God, for his poor, and the support of his interest : — 
and is not this the most likely way to obtain my wish ? Do 
I desire the favour of God ; to live a life of communion with 
him here, and to enjoy his uninterrupted smiles for ever ? 
1 hope I do : I hope there is nothing in the world 1 prize so 
highly, or desire so earnestly : — and is not this the way to 
obtain my desire ? In devoting myself to God, I empty my 
heart of every thing else : I get an affecting sense of the 



172 SELF-EXAMINATION. 1741. 

emptiness &nd insufficiency of ail other comforts, and labour 
to excite a hungering, thirsting desire after God : I appre- 
hend him to be absolutely necessary to my soul's present re- 
pose and future felicity : I earnestly desire him as such, and 
long after fellowship with him : — and is not this the way to 
be filled ? In every strait, I have always found it good to 
trust in God, and have often said — God will provide. He 
hath provided accordingly. He that careth and provideth 
for ravens, for young lions, yea, for every insect, will he not 
much more care for men, and most of all for them that trust 
him, and have devoted themselves wholly to him ? Is not 
this a part of my work, in my covenant-transactions — to 
strengthen and exercise my faith in his providence, to make 
a fresh surrender of myself, all I am, and all I have to him, 
and put in my claim for a share of his providential kindness 
and care ? Is not this the way to have his blessing on what 
he intrusts me with, be it little or much ? Therefore, will I 
seal to my God, to be entirely under the direction of his 
preceptive will, and entirely submissive and resigned to his 
disposing will. Whatever is his will shall be mine, ( through 
Christ strengthening me,'- — through l the supply of the Spirit 
of Jesus.' I will i trust in the Lord for ever,' since [ know 
that ' in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.' 

SELF-EXAMINATION BEFORE THE LORD'S 
SUPPER. 

Saturday evening, December 5, 1741. I have been cal- 
led upon, this evening, to search and try myself, preparatory 
to the solemn feast I have in view — whether I be savingly 
converted, and brought sincerely into covenant with God ; 
whether I conscientiously observe God t in his goings in the 
sanctuary,' and in the world ; and, whether I have been 
owned of God, so that he hath settled upon me, and secured 
to me, the inestimable blessings of his covenant. It is a 
vain thing to deceive myself in so important a concern. 



JEt. 50. SELF-EXAMINATION. 173 

Speaking peace and safety to my own soul will not secure 
me from Almighty vengeance. It is, therefore, the greatest 
folly in the world to persuade myself, that my state is good 
and safe, if it be not so. The day is coming, yea, it may be 
at hand, when I shall be tried and examined in another man- 
ner by him, ' before whose eyes hell and destruction' lie 
naked ; ' how much more, then, the hearts of the children of 
men !' What will it benefit me, to draw a veil over my 
sins ! If I indulge iniquity, I may ( be sure my sin will find 
me out.' Let me, therefore, set myself, as in the presence 
of God, to sift, and try, and judge my heart and ways. A 
long time I have entertained hopes, that my heart is right 
with God, though in many respects my obedience hath been 
defective ; but, am I not deceived ? — Let me examine those 
defects I am conscious of, and see whether they be ' the 
spots of God's children.' 

Undoubtedly, my master-sin is pride. This hath for- 
merly puffed me up with too high a conceit of myself, and 
made me think too meanly of others : it hath made me impa- 
tient of contradiction : it hath filled me with too keen a re- 
sentment of slights and injuries, sometimes with evil surmis- 
ings ; and it hath often broke out in ungoverned passion : — 
but, how is it with me now with respect to these things ? What 
can I answer to my sovereign Judge, if I were now un- 
clothed, and standing at his bar, and interrogated concerning 
the pride of my heart and life ? Can 1 appeal to him — 
' Lord, thou that knowest all things,' knowest that I hate 
pride, and that the workings and prevalence thereof are the 
matter of my grief, and the burden of my soul. Can I say — 
Lord, thou knowest it is what I have, in the sincerity of my 
soul, and with tears, often and earnestly begged at thy hands — 
that thou wouldst * hide pride from me/ that I may be * poor 
in spirit,' and mean in my own eyes ; and this, from an hum- 
ble sense of my original depravity and vileness^ the treachery 
of my heart, together with my manifold backslidings and in- 



174 HEAVEN IS THE CHRISTIAN'S HOME. 1741-2. 

numerable offences against thee. Is it not the unfeigned 
desire of my soul to be vile or base in my own eyes ; and do 
I not reject with abhorrence the workings of pride, as soon 
as I discover them. ' Search me, O God, and know my 
heart, try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any 
wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.' 

HEAVEN IS THE CHRISTIAN'S HOME. 
To a Correspondent.* 

December 26, 1741. 
■ I thank you for your kind congratulation, and for 



the serious hint you give me, that Kidderminster is not my 
home. This puts me in mind of a verse in the pious Dr= 
Watts's hymns : — 

" Let cares like a wild deluge come, 

" And storms of sorrow fall ; 
" May I but safely reach my home, 

" My God, my heav'n, my all." 

And likewise that of the truly devout Herbert, many of 
whose old-fashioned odes I greatly admire : — 

" We talk of harvests : there are no such things, 

" Until we leave our corn and hay : 
" There is no fruitful year, but that which brings 

" Our last, and lov'd, though dreadful day. 

" What have X here, that I should stay, and groan ? 

" The most of me to heav'n is fled : 
il My thoughts and joys are all pack'd up and gone, 

" And for their old acquaintance plead." 

I hope, J. can indeed say — that as ' here I have no continu- 
ing city/ or abode, so I am seeking and ' looking for one 
to come / that, ' my treasure is in heaven/ and that ' my 

i I . . i , t*» i ■■' ■ ■ - " ■ ■ — - 

* He knew more of books than trade, and therefore, wondered at 
Mr. W. not being at home to answer his letters with speed* 



JEt.50. new-year's reflections on death. 175 
heart is there also/ (Oh ! that it were more) and, that I 
value and esteem all my enjoyments here below, only as 
means to help me in my way thither. Adored for ever be 
that free, rich, distinguishing grace, which turned and in- 
clined my heart, so perverse by nature, to bend my course 
heavenward. 

new-year's reflections on death. 

January lj 1742. 

Reflecting with repentant sighs 

Upon the year that's past, 
My tongue with admiration cries — 

Why was not that my last! 

Millions within the circling year 

Resign'd their fleeting breath ; 
While sov'reign Pow'r hath spar'd me here, 

And sav'd my soul from death. 

Had sharp diseases seiz'd my frame 

And brought me down to dust, 
Almighty Maker! I proclaim 

Thy sentence had been just : 

And, hadst thou doom'd my guilty soul 

To realms of black despair, 
I must, while endless ages roll, 

Have own'd thy justice there. 

Then since my life thy care hath been, 

Myself I yield to thee : 
Hence, all I have, without, within, 

For ever thine shall be. 

I will review and oft lament 

The sins of former days ; 
So shall my future life be spent 

To thine immortal praise ! 



176 COMMUNION WITH COD. 1742. 

CoSlMUNION WITH GOD. 

Wednesday, February 17, 1742. I would now record, 
(oh! that I might do it with a single eye to his glory, 
' whose I am/ and to whom I am under millions of obli- 
gations ;) a fresh instance of the quickening influence of the 
Holy Spirit, coming upon me like a mighty, swelling tide, 
captivating my whole soul, and bearing away my affections 
full sail from earth and sense up to the celestial throne, and 
giving me a glimpse of ' the glory that is to be revealed,' 
and a taste of those joys that are unutterable, which spring 
from 'the throne of God and of the Lamb/ 

I was employed this evening in the twilight, in a branch of 
my trade and revolving in my mind these lines of Dr. Watts— 

" He will present our souls 

" Unblemish'd and complete, 
et Before the glory of /his face, 

" With joys divinely great:" — 

When, sudden almost as a flash of lightning, my soul was 
ravished with a joyful assurance, that my Saviour, my Je- 
sus, will one day c present' my worthless soul, denied as it 
now is, ' before the presence of his glor}-/ purified from 
every stain, refined from all its dross, and made meet for 
the heavenly society and employment, e with exceeding joy/ 
My joys were so big, they must have vent ; instantly I re- 
tired, and falling on my knees before my God and Saviour, 
my soul was drawn out in such humble adorations, such 
glowing thankfulness for all the methods of distinguishing 
grace, such deep humiliation from a sense of my unworthi- 
ness of such high favours, particularly on account of the 
inaccuracy of my conversation; and, at the same time, I 
felt my heart warmed with such ardent love, and earnest 
desires after a fuller enjoyment of him whom my soul loves, 
as, 1 think I scarce ever before experienced. I could not 
but desire, if it were lawful, that my dissolution and de- 



Ml, 50. COMMUNION WITH GOD. 177 

parture hence might be hastened, that I might < be with 
Christ.' I also found and expressed a willingness to stay, 
as long as God had any work for me to do here that might 
be for his glory; yea, to stay his time, to suffer, as well as 
do, his will. I was led particularly to praise the blessed 
Jesus, with a melting heart and flowing eyes, for what he had 
done for me, as living, dying, and interceding, and by the re- 
newing, sanctifying, and comforting influences of his Spirit ; 
while a vigorous faith led me to l believe in hope/ and 
to adore and praise him for what he will do yet farther for 
me. I then said — 

" Thou wilt present my soul 

" Unblemish'd and complete, 
11 Before the glory of thy face, 

" With joys divinely great." 

It was to me a sweet foretaste of the divine joy which ' the 
spirits of just men made perfect' have On their first admission 
into the realms of glory. Surely, this high elevation is to 
fortify me against some approaching trial by casting down, 
and to bear up my soul against some sudden shock of adver- 
sity. I had lately such a hint set home upon me in reading 
Dr. Sibbs' Soul's Conflict. Lord, ' thy will, not mine, be 
done ;' ' here I am, do with me as thou pleasest ;' — 

a What sinners value, I resign ; 
" Lord, 'tis enough that thou art mine : 
" 1 shall behold thy blissful face, 
, " And stand complete in righteousness." 

Watts. 

Or if such an event be not near, I am sure it calls for great 
humility, great watchfulness and circumspection, that I may 
adorn my profession, and walk worthy of the Lord unto all 
well-pleasing, that I may not grieve his Spirit, and forfeit his 
presence and quickening aids; but by a self-denying humilitj 

N 



178 CHRIST IN US, THE HOPE OF GLORY. 1742. 

and obedience may be prepared to receive his farther gracious 
visits. 

CHRIST IN US, THE HOPE OF GLORY. 
Saturday night, March 20, 1742. I have been meditating 
on that expression; — ' Christ in you, the hope of glory/ Surely, 
there is such a thing as Christ being formed in the soul, with- 
out which all knowledge concerning him will avail nothing 
to salvation. There is such a thing as a union between Christ 
and every sincere believer. — There is a union of hearts. l Christ 
loved the church, and gave himself for it.' 6 To them that 
believe he is precious.' Believers evidence their love to 
Christ, by forsaking all other lovers ; devoting and giving up 
themselves entirely to him ; seeking and expecting their su- 
preme happiness in communion with him, and enjoyment of 
his love. — There is, also, a union of interests. Christ delights 
in the joy and prosperity of his members. ' These things 
have I said unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and 
that your joy might be full.' They, also, delight to advance 
his glory and the prosperity of his kingdom. They rejoice, 
when his gospel is received, and souls are made willing to 
comply with the terms of his covenant. From 'union pro- 
ceed reciprocal communications. He communicates to them 
grace and strength, life and fruitfulness ; and they bring forth 
fruit to and for him. The pious breathings of their souls in 
prayers and praises, in ardent love and longing desires after 
him, are his delight. He imparts to them the quickening influ- 
ences of his Spirit, for which they make a return in vigorous 
faith and holy obedience. He comforts them with the conso- 
lations of his Spirit, the savour of which ascends to him 
in holy joy ; nor less in deep humiliation, from a sense of 
their unworthiness. They profess their weakness and insuf- 
ficiency ; and he gives them strength for duty, and succour 
in temptation. They confess and mourn before him their 
lusts, corruptions, and miscarriages, and he sends peace and 
pardon. They look to him as the dispenser of their afflic- 



JEi.bO. CHRIST IN US, THE HOPE OF GLORY. 179 

tions and crosses ; humbly submit to them, and patiently ac- 
quiesce in them, as coming from his hand, and as the deme- 
rit of their sins. Notwithstanding the interposition of these 
clouds, he reveals the constancy of his love, shews them his 
all-sufficiency for their support, and appoints to them a gra- 
cious issue, and complete deliverance ; even ' a far more ex- 
ceeding and eternal weight of glory.' — Thus, their hope of 
future glory is derived from union. As they love and believe 
in him, they cannot but love and believe his gospel, which 
( hath brought life and immortality to light' in clearer and 
brighter discoveries, than ever the church had before 
been blessed with. They contemplate, with wonder and 
delight, 'the heavenly inheritance which is incorruptible, 
undefiled, and that fadeth not away.' They have ' a full as- 
surance of faith' that there really l remaineth a rest for the 
people of God.' Though it be requisite that they who are 
' set for the defence of the gospel,' should produce other evi- 
dences of its divine original ; yet, I suppose any experienced 
Christian, who is ( passed from death unto life,' and is united 
to Christ by faith and love, hath such an internal evidence of 
its divine mission, as is far more convincing and satisfactory 
to his mind, than all other evidences deduced from prophe- 
cies and facts compared together. The believer's union with 
Christ is farther productive of his ' hope of glory/ as Christ 
gives him in the gospel the plainest, fullest, and richest pro- 
mises of eternal life. 'This is the record that God hath 
given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.' Christ 
died to purchase this glory for us, and by his rising again from 
the dead he gave us a pledge of our resurrection to everlast- 
ing happiness. By his Spirit, which dwells in his people, he 
gives them an ' earnest of their inheritance, until the redemp- 
tion of the purchased possession.' He is gone before ' to 
prepare mansions for them in his Father's house, and will 
come again and receive them unto himself, that where he is, 
there they may be also.' How great and manifold are 
' H 2 



180 * A TIME TO WEEP, AND A TIME TO LAUGH.' 1742, 

the Christian's obligations to Christ! How miserable the 
state of such as i are without Christ/ ' having no hope !' How 
happy the state of all that are united to Christ and interested 
in him ! Their hope of glory may well palliate all their cares ; 
moderate their affections to things below ; calm their passions ; 
support them under pressing griefs ; sweeten religious duties ; 
give them ' boldness and access, with confidence, to the 
throne of grace;' soften a bed of languishing; and, fortify 
them against the fears of death. It is true, all that are united 
to Christ have not a comfortable hope of glory, but they have 
solid ground for hope. It is for want of more constant ex- 
ercise of faith in Christ, that their hope is not more lively and 
joyful. How careful, then, should we be to cherish and cul- 
tivate this blessed hope ! How careful should they be, who 
are diligent in the work of the Lord, and full of good fruits, 
to ' shew the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope 
unto the end.' 

' A TIME TO WEEP, AND A TIME TO LAUGH.' 

To his daughter Phebe.* 

Kidderminster, June 14, 1742. 

MY DEAR, 

I doubt not these lines find you in the enjoyment of many 
good friends, who are making you as welcome as your heart 
can desire, or their's contrive : nor do I doubt that you are 
making yourself as agreeable as you can to them, by the 
cheerfulness of your temper, and courteousness of beha- 
viour, as well as readiness to serve them on all proper occa- 
sions. I need not tell you, how much cheerfulness joined 
with humility, adorns and recommends ; — how much prefer- 
able it is to noisy mirth, which does not seem so well to suit 
with our condition as rational beings, or as Christians ; as 
sinners, or as probationers for an eternal state. Not that we 

* On a visit to Mr. Joshua Svmonds of Shrewsbury : there was some 
public spectacle at that place about this time. 



JEt. 50. e A TIME TO WEEP, AND A TIME TO LAUGH.' 181 

either should or can maintain, at all times, a strict unifor- 
mity of temper. No ! There is ' a time to weep, and a 
time to laugh ;' which denote those extremes in our temper, 
that are equally distant from the medium of cheerfulness. 
When we visit a friend, on whom the hand of God lies 
heavy, no doubt it becomes us to give a patient and solemn 
hearing to his complaints, and * to weep with them that 
weep :' but much more it is our wisdom and duty to humble 
ourselves before God, and to give way to all the emotions of 
grief and godly sorrow, when in our religious retirements we 
reflect on our original depravity and actual sinfulness, or on 
any sensible tokens of the Divine displeasure that we lie 
under, whether through some external affliction, or through 
the hiding of his face, and the withdrawment of his quicken- 
ing influences from our souls. On the other hand : — we 
may be innocently merry on many occasions, particularly on 
days of rejoicing for national deliverances, or for victory over 
the enemies of the nation ; on the safe return of friends that 
have been long absent, or when God hath favoured them 
with extraordinary deliverances, or instances of prosperity. 
Certainly, it becomes us on such occasions to ' rejoice with 
them that do rejoice.' We may also, innocently laugh over 
a merry story, if it be pure of guilt, at a smart repartee, or at 
any lively turn of wit ; though here, Herbert's is a very 
good rule : — 

" Laugh not too much : the witty man laughs least ; 

" For wit is news only to ignorance. 
" Less at thy own things laugh, lest in the jest 

" Thy person share, and the conceit advance." 

But we should never laugh at indelicacy : if any person 
should be so rude as to introduce any thing of that kind into 
conversation, whether directly in impure words, or more re- 
motely by corrupt meanings, couched- under words in them- 

N 3 



182 ' A TIME TO WEEP, AND A TIME TO LAUGH.' 1742, 

selves unblameable ; in such cases the speaker should be 
rebuked by sternly repeating this couplet — 

" Immodest words admit of no defence ; 

" For want of decency is want of sense." Pope. 
I wished you here yesterday to have heard two of the most 
rousing sermons I have heard a great while, preached by 
Mr. Saunders of Denton,* whose prayers were equally 
affecting. It was at his place, that Dr. Doddridge, a twelve- 
month ago, first proposed to a meeting of ministers, a scheme 
he was then forming for the revival of religion, and which he 
has since published in the preface to his sermon, entitled — 
"The evil and danger of neglecting the souls of men.' 7 Mr. 
Saunders says, it had long been a time of great deadness in 
his church, and he had long lamented it, but had not exerted 
himself in any uncommon way, till he began to bestir himself 
according to the directions in the Doctor's scheme : parti- 
cularly, by catechising all the youth of his charge, and treat- 
ing with them personally and seriously about their soul-con- 
cerns ; visiting families in a pastoral way, and inquiring into 
their improvement by religious opportunities ; as also, em- 
ploying and encouraging some of the most capable and for- 
ward of his people to assist him, several ways, in promoting 
the work of religion : in consequence of this, religion hath 
been revived among them to a surprising degree ; and he says 
it is not so at Denton only, but in many of the neighbouring 
churches. I hope other ministers will take encouragement 
hence, to follow such examples. But, whether they do or 
not, let me intreat and persuade you and cousin Hannah/f* 
and your young friends with you, to follow the pious conduct 
of the young persons I have mentioned : — first, to give your 
ownselves to the Lord ; this I hope you have all done ; but 
see that you have done it in sincerity ; nor stay here, but con- 

* In Stedman's edition of " Letters to and from Dr. Doddridge, 
1790," at page 290, Dr. D. pays an affectionate tribute of respect to 
the memory of this minister. 

f The Lady addressed, April 9, 1749, 



JEt. 50. PROMOTING PIETY IN A DAUGHTER. 183 

firm and ratify such self-consecration in the presence of God, 
angels, and men. 

The more you see of the world, the more may you be con- 
vinced of the vanity and unsatisfactoriness of all its enjoy- 
ments, and be quickened, to make sure of what will yield 
solid and durable happiness ; and the more may you see and 
admire the various footsteps of the Great Creator, shining in 
his works, as well of nature as of providence. Wherever 
you be, may you still be minding ' the one thing needful/ 
and evidencing your choice of the ' good part ;' which will 
infallibly procure happiness to yourself, and very much con- 
tribute to the joy of, my dear, your affectionate parent, 

J. W. 

PROMOTING PIETY IN A DAUGHTER. 

To the same. 
(On a North journey) July 2, 1742. 

DEAR CHILD, 

' My heart's desire and prayer to God for you is, that you 
may be saved/ Our blessed Saviour hath left it on record, 
that l in his days the kingdom of heaven suffered violence, 
and the violent took it by force f that is, persons were awa- 
kened by John the Baptist's preaching, and his own, to a 
serious concern about their salvation, and to see the neces- 
sity of repentance in order to salvation : and, elsewhere, our 
Lord tells his disciples, that ' many shall seek to enter in at 
the strait gate, and shall not be able/ From whence it is 
plain, that salvation is not to be obtained without much labour 
and diligence. I have blamed myself many a time for not 
saying more, and speaking oftener, to you on this head, in 
order to quicken you now, ' in this your day,' to ' give dili- 
gence to make your calling and election sure/ And I should 
have been glad to have heard from you oftener : but, there is, 
I know, an unaccountable shyness in young persons to open 
their minds freely about matters relating to their souls, and 

N 4 



184 PROMOTING PIETY IN A DAUGHTER. 1742. 

their everlasting interest. I hope you * have chosen the good 
part/ I see nothing blameable in your conduct, nor would 
I discourage you, or excite needless fears in your mind : but 
yet, how it is betwixt God and your soul is best known to 
God and yourself. It is a matter of such vast importance, 
whether you be really converted, and savingly interested in 
Christ, or not, that you will, I doubt not, bear with me when 
I tell you, that I cannot ^but be desirous of fuller satisfaction 
about this grand point; and the more so, because I cannot 
but fear thousands have deceived themselves by resting in a 
bare profession, and in { a name that they live,' while they 
have been ( dead in trespasses and sins.' If your case be good, 
it will bear examination ; and if it be otherwise, it is high 
time to use your utmost diligence, in order to make it better. 
I would, therefore, not only put you on a close and careful 
examination of yourself, as soon as you can get leisure for 
it; but would likewise gladly assist you therein, as well as 
I can. For this blessed purpose, I would propose two 
queries, to which, after a careful examination of yourself, 1 
desire you would set down your answers in writing ; as 1 sup- 
pose, you can do that with greater ease and freedom than by 
speaking to me ; and let me have your w T riting in a few 
days. I would ask you, therefore, and put you on asking 
yourself — 

Have you reason to hope, that you are really converted, 
and savingly interested in Christ ? 

What are the grounds of your hope, or what evidences have 
you, that you are interested in Christ ? 

The day is coming, when you will be judged by him that 
searcheth your heart. ' If your heart condemn you' now, 
you may reasonably fear God will condemn you, ' who is 
greater than your heart, and knoweth all things :' but ' if/ on 
an impartial examination of yourself, i your heart condemn 
you not, then have you confidence toward God.' ' If we 
would judge ourselves, we should not be judged ;' that is. 



Ait, 50. DUTIES TO BE OBSERVED IN AFFLICTION. 185 

we shall not be condemned. Therefore, be at pains about 
this great concern, chiefly for your own advantage ; and in a 
subordinate degree for the satisfaction of your affectionate 
parent, J. W. 

DUTIES TO BE OBSERVED IN AFFLICTION. 

To the same.* 
Kidderminster, August 14, 1742 

DEAR CHTLD, 

I am sorry to hear of the return of your fever, and should 
be more so, but that I know it is God's usual way by afflic- 
tion, to bring his children home to himself; that 'whom the 
Lord loveth he chasteneth ;' — that he proves and tries his 
children by affliction, that he might do them good in the end. 
If you be of that happy number you will, I persuade myself, 
in the first place, eye the hand of God in this affliction ; hum- 
bly inquire into the design and meaning of it; bear up under 
it with Christian patience and resignation ; and be more so- 
licitous to make the best improvement, than how to get rid 
of it. You will not ' despise the chastening of the Lord, nor 
faint when you are rebuked of him;' you will expect no 
relief from means otherwise than through his blessing them, 
and therefore seek to him as the great Physician. This will 
put you on diligent self-examination — Wherefore it is that 
the Almighty thus contends with you ; and put you on 
diligent endeavours to get a supply of what is wanting in 
repentance, faith, love, and new-obedience. That these may 
be the blessed fruits, shall be my daily prayer. I now com- 
mend you to the care of ' him that is able to keep you/ as- 
suring you that your general prosperity is one of my princi- 
pal cares, and that the prosperity of your soul will afford a 
peculiar joy to, dear child, your affectionate parent, 

J. W. 

* No address is written on this letter. 



186 



NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH. 



1742, 



NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH. 

Saturday night, September 11, 1742. I have lately had 
my hope tried, and it hath been found ' an anchor of my 
soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that 
within the veil/ This day fortnight, by the fall of a frame 
of timber, my life was in jeopardy, so that I could not tell 
after my understanding and senses returned to me, whether 
my skull were fractured or not. Words cannot fully express 
what a noble, what a divine cordial it was to my throbbing 
heart, in that awful hour, when my life hung in suspense, 
that I had a prevailing hope, yea, a satisfying, joyful as- 
surance, that death could not hurt me, that its sting was 
taken away, and my everlasting interest secured. Oh ! how 
sweet and dear was an all-sufficient Saviour then to my soul. 
I had not, indeed, impatient longings of soul to be gone, nor 
such a ravishing sense of his love, as might make me ' desir- 
ous to depart, and to be with him/ though I know ' it is far 
better/ The sight of my wife and children, for whose com- 
fort and welfare I felt then, a more anxious care than for my 
own, and in whose countenances I plainly beheld all the 
marks of most tender concern for me ; together with some 
other considerations; made me, I think, more than willing, if 
it were the will of God, to abide longer in the flesh : but, I 
had such a firm faith in God's all-sufficiency to provide for 
them, and dispose of them in the best manner, that I had no 
anxiety of any kind ; and so far as I remember, had a pleas- 
ing enjoyment of myself in an entire resignation to the divine 
will. My deliverance was great, and calls for great thank- 
fulness. A wise, a righteous, a watchful, and gracious pro- 
vidence was displayed both in wounding and healing me. If 
' a sparrow fall not to the ground without our heavenly Fa- 
ther,' much less does a rational being. If Job, plundered 
by Sabeans and Chaldeans, could say — c The Lord hath 
taken away/ certainly his hand was not less evident, when a 
frame of timber, which no mortal had touched an hour 



JEt.50. DEATH OF THE REV. M. BRADSHAW. 187 

before, should fall on me, as soon as I came under it. Pos- 
sibly I might have escaped, had I apprehended the danger 
near ; but though I heard a crash, and an immediate outcry, 
I was utterly fearless, imagining the danger to be on the re- 
mote side, because the workmen were there. Spectators ex- 
pected, that if my skull were not fractured, at least some of 
my limbs were broken : but, blessed be my kind Preserver, 
no pernicious effects ensued. How complete was the mercy ! 
I might have been a burden to my family, a spectacle of pity 
and horror, dragging out a useless life in pain and misery ^ — 
* He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all 
thy ways/ He keepeth all thy bones, not ' one of them is 
broken.' ' Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within 
me, bless his holy name/ 

DEATH OF THE REV. M. BRADSHAW. 

Thursday, November 11, 1742. Last night, our late 
pastor, the Rev. Matthew Bradshaw, took his flight from 
our world, and, I doubt not, entered into his rest. He 
was a most excellent preacher. I have great reason to 
bless God for his ministrations, which I scruple not to 
say have been more profitable to my soul than any other 
that 1 ever sat under, in the general : but, alas! by 
reason of his frequent indisposition, he did not preach forty 
sermons in all the last two years. Notwithstanding the 
excellency of his public ministrations, I cannot but fear reli- 
gion languishes among us, which 1 impute very much to the 
want of encouragement to private opportunities, as well as 
to the want of a more rousing evangelical ministry in general. 
Neither the love of God, nor the fear of God, nor faith in 
Christ, nor the nature or necessity of conversion, nor the pecu- 
liar privileges of believers, have been so much urged and 
pressed upon us^ as moral duties ; neither have these 
last been recommended so much from gospel motives as 
from their own intrinsic beauty and excellency ; which too 
few have eyes to discern, and fewer feel the constraining 



188 DEATH OF THE REV. M. BRADSHAW. 1742-S. 

force of. Certainly * Christ is the end of the law for 
righteousness to every one that believeth/ The end and use 
of the law is to lead sinners to Christ for righteousness, who 
is its end : and if the fear of God and his judgments, or the 
love of Christ, will not constrain to duty, I know not what 
will. Great things are now depending on the choice of a 
minister to succeed Mr. Bradshaw. May the Chief Shep- 
herd undertake for us, and send us a pastor after his own 
heart, that shall feed us with knowledge and understanding. 
May I be directed and inclined to act my part aright therein, 
that I may neither basely give up the cause of Christ, nor 
kindle a flame of division among us. O Lord ! give me wis 
dom to discern, and zeal, guided by meekness, to practice 
whatsoever shall appear to be my duty in this respect. 
November 14, 1742. 
A widow'd church, a flock bereav'd, 

That mournful day deplore, 
When death our pastor snatch'd away ; 

Our pastor now no more! 
Deep in the bowels of the earth 

Those lips in silence lie, 
Whenee sacred truths divinely flow'd, 

And rais'd our passions high. 
Have not our souls with rapture bum'd ? 

Our hearts with ardour glow'd ? 
When, ravish'd with a Saviour's love, 

A Saviour's wounds he show'd. 
Our sacred passions were all fir'd ! 

While he in melting strains, 
Shew'd how the Victim's crimson streams 

Flow'd from his bleeding veins. 
He trod the path to Zion's hill, 

And plainly taught the way 
That from this howling desart leads 
To fields of heav'nly day. 



jEt.5\. MEDITATION BEFORE THE LORD'S SUPPER, 189 

Oh ! may we press toward the goal, 

Nor faint beneath the rod, 
Thankful adore the hand that gave, 

And bless a taking God. 

Our great Head Shepherd ever lives, 

While under-shepherds die; 
Lord ! let thy grace surround us still, 

And send a fit supply. 

MEDITATION BEFORE THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

Saturday nighty August 6, 1743. Consider, O my soul, 
wherefore did the Lord of glory leave, as his dying charge — 
that by ' eating bread and drinking wine' we ' should shew 
forth his death until he come' to judgment? Why must Chris- 
tians, in their religious assemblies, frequently repeat this ser- 
vice ? Doubtless it is instituted for our good. It is no small 
thing, to * believe unto salvation/ ' Faith is the gift of God,' 
a supernatural work ; yet, it is not wrought without outward 
meaus. The Spirit useth means to begin faith, and also, to 
cherish it, and carry it on ' from faith to faith/ from lower to 
higher degrees. It is a great thing to trust for righteousness 
to justify me, for strength to fortify me against temptations, 
for succour under all adversity, and for eternal life, as ' a re- 
ward of grace not of debt.' It is a great thing, to trust for all 
this in one that died, ' who being found in fashion as a man, 
humbled himself, and became obedient unto death/ Surely, 
I have need to be well satisfied, that he is able to do all this 
for me, ' able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God 
by him,' and that he is as willing as able. According to the 
record of infallible truth — 'He is the true God and eternal life/ 
' He is over all, God blessed for ever/ ' In him dwelleth 
all the fulness of the Godhead bodily/ He it is, who de- 
clared- — ' Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast 
out/ Faith may with security rest on such a promise from 
such a one, though there were not another in all the book of 



190 MEDITATION BEFORE THE LOTtD's SUPPER. 1743. 

God; but our all-wise Lord knew our weakness, our fickle- 
ness and forgetfulness of him ; he knew how ineffectual our 
solemn vows would be, to keep uS close to him; and, how 
useful sensible signs would be, to renew the exercise of our 
faith in him. If the yearly keeping of the passover were not 
sufficient to prevent Israel's running into idolatry, though 
in that solemnity was a lively representation of their mira- 
culous deliverance from Egyptian bondage, how much less 
would a bare narration have done it? So our blessed Lord 
knew, that the bare preaching of his gospel, and declaring 
what he had done and suffered for our redemption from sin 
and wrath, would not have been sufficient, from age to age, 
to cherish faith in him ; and, therefore, appointed bread to be 
broken, in remembrance of his body broken for us, and to be 
distributed among' believers, and eaten by them, in token of 
his body being offered to them, with all his benefits, and re- 
ceived by them as the bread of life, by which their souls must 
be fed and nourished unto eternal life. In like manner, he 
appointed wine to be poured out, to represent his blood shed 
on the cross for them, and to be distributed among them, 
that every one should drink of it, in token of their trusting in 
him, to wash away their sins by his blood. — Now, O my soul, 
with what temper of mind should I approach this gospel- 
feast ? I must, under these symbols, receive Christ Jesus the 
Lord. In taking the bread, this Lamb of God, with all the 
blessings of his purchase, is freely offered to me. As this 
bread was broken, so I believe the body of Christ, in his 
agony, scourging, and crucifixion, was broken, wounded, 
bruised, and chastened for my iniquities. My soul rests on 
the fulness of that atonement he hath made to the justice of 
God for my sins, the remission of which I now receive 
by faith in him. I also receive all needful grace, in, propor- 
tion to the various occasions of the Christian life. Do I lack 
wisdom, meekness, courage, humility? These, and every 
other blessing and grace, hath Christ purchased for me, and 



j£t.5 c 2. INVOCATION OF CHRIST SUGGESTED. 191 

freely offers to me. My faith reaches out an empty hand to 
' receive of his fulness, and grace for grace.' What can I 
want, who have ' Christ in me, the hope of glory ?' In like 
manner, when I receive the wine, my heart applies that pre- 
cious blood, which taketh away all sin,-— rwhich hath a clean- 
sing virtue, and is the price of my redemption from the wrath 
to come.' Hereby shall I be fortified and strengthened for 
every combat ' with flesh and blood, with angels, principali- 
ties and powers.' This precious blood was shed for me. 
Blessed Jesus ! I build all my hopes of salvation on the me- 
rits of thy blood. Thou i wast slain, and hast redeemed me 
to God by thy blood.' Thou, who hast ' loved me, and 
washed me from my sins in thy blood,' art worthy of my most 
ardent love, and most exalted praises. To thee I humbly 
consecrate myself, with all I am, and with ail I have. To 
this fountain u ill I daily have recourse by faith, ' for mercy 
to pardon, and for grace to help me in every time of need.' 

INVOCATION OF CHRIST, AND SACRAMENTAL 
COMMUNION SUGGESTED. 

To his son and daughter, Josiah and Phebe Ilanbury. 
Church-street, December 4, 1743. 

MY DEAR CHILDREN, 

As by your marriage-covenant, deliberately and solemnly 
entered into according to God's appointment, you are be- 
come, in a mystical sense, ' one flesh,' your interests mutual, 
and your duties in some respects reciprocal, I cannot but 
feel a tender concern for the welfare and prosperity of each 
of you. I certainly know that your highest happiness lies 
in your enjoying the love and favour of God : this you can 
never enjoy before you are reconciled to him; for, by nature 
all mankind are aliens and strangers, afar ofY from God, 
* and enemies' to him ' in their minds by wicked works ;' 
1 children of wrath' because ' children of disobedience :' in 
this state if you live and die, you will certainly be for ever 



192 INVOCATION OF CHRIST SUGGESTED. 1743. 

miserable. Now, e - God' is e in Christ, reconciling the 
world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them/ 
— Without an interest ' in ChrisV you cannot be reconciled 
to God ; cannot be saved from wrath to come. Very much, 
therefore, you have to do with the Lord Jesus Christ, if you 
would be saved by him ; many duties you owe to him, and 
Srery intimate must be your communion with him. When 
you are tempted to sin, and feel a holy fear of sinning, feel 
pious strugglings within against the temptation, it is Christ 
that says within you— - e Oh ! do not this abominable thing 
that I hate/ When you experience good motions, and in- 
clination to retire from the world, and in secret prayer and 
meditation to seek the face of your heavenly Father, it is 
Christ that saith — ' Behold, I stand at the door and knock : 
if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come 
in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me/ 

I have now, one particular word of advice to you both, 
which perhaps was never given you before ; and I shall recom- 
mend it to you from my own experience. Do not slight or un- 
dervalue it because of its novelty. If you sincerely, conscien- 
tiously put it in practice, and do not reap sensible and excel- 
lent advantage, then let me bear the blame. It is this : — as 
our Lord says to his disciples a little before his passion — 
' Ye believe in God, believe also in me :' so say I. You 
have long and often prayed to God ; pray also to Christ. 
Does he not say — ' Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, 
that will I do ;' and again, in the next verse — e If ye shall 
ask any thing in my name, 1" will do it/ # And is it not meet 
that we should ask of him those things which he will do ? I 
know these words have been understood to mean — ■* What- 
soever ye shall ask' of the Father ' in my name / but, why 
then, does not Christ say the Father will do it? — Why may 
he not there be understood to mean—Invocation of his own 
name ? The apostle Paul, denominates Christians in gene- 



Eyu TtoivjcrW' 



Mt. 5Q. SACRAMEKTAL COMMUNION SUGGESTED. 193 

ral to be such, as c call upon the name of Jesus Christ our 
Lord/ And those whom Saul persecuted, were such as 
1 called on this name.' The church in heaven will praise 
him fo.r ever \ and shall not his church on earthy which he 
hath purchased with his own blood, pray to him I Stephen 
prayed to him in his dying moments — l Lord Jesus, receive 
my spirit.' Do you think this was the first prayer he ever 
put up to him ? With what propriety can we commit our 
departing spirits to Christ, if we never pray to him pre- 
viously \ 

What suggested the first thought ofti writing to yolt, wag 
this : — having risen by four o'clock this morning, I employed 
myself by reading in an old author, a discourse preparatory 
to the Lord's Supper, on these words — ' But let a man exa- 
mine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of 
that cup.' I there met with this awakening passage — " Unless 
we have a fervent desire to participate of this holy Sacrament, 
which the Lord hath instituted, and to seal up and increase our 
spiritual communion with him, we are manifestly convinced 
to be such in whom there is no love to the Lord Jesus." My 
thoughts presently took a turn towards you both : — God for- 
bid ! thought I, that my son and daughter should be such as 
love not our Lord Jesus Christ, for all such are anathema- 
tized by the great apostle ! And having time before me, I 
thought it my duty to put you in mind of yours to the great 
Lord and Head of the Church, and particularly of that posi- 
tive command of his — ' Do this in remembrance of me ;' 
which your own consciences must tell you that you cannot 
always continue in the omission of, and be guiltless. The 
same author has also, this observation — "There is danger in 
hearing the Word, and therefore, our Saviour forewarns us — 
' take heed what you hear :' there is also, danger in commu- 
nicating ; ' whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup 
of the Lord, unworthily ,-shall be guilty of the body and blood 
of the Lord.' " But, is there not danger in neglecting to 

O 



194 WORSHIP DUE TO THE LORD JESUS. 1744. 

communicate; as well as in neglecting to hear the Word, since 
the command is as positive for the one as the other ? And, 
is there not a plain direction Cow to shun the danger on both 
sides ; — 'Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that 
bread, and drink of that cup :' I do not write this to inform 
you of what you know not, but as the apostle says, to ' stir 
up your mindsby way of remembrance.' If you would have solid 
peace within, that 'peace of God,which passeth all understand- 
ing/ you must take care, as Job did, that your hearts do not 
'reproach' you so long as you live, and in order to this, you 
must no more live in the omission of any known duty, than 
you would in the commission of any known sin. I heartily 
commend you both to ' the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ/ 
and am with tender concern for your spiritual and everlasting 

welfare, dear children, your affectionate parent, 

J. W. 

WORSHIP DUE TO THE LORD JESUS. 

Monday evening, March 12, 1744. I have been fre- 
quently in doubt of late, whether 1 should pray to the Lord 
Jesus Christ, or not. It has been my prevailing opinion 
that I should, and accordingly I have done it frequently for 
many months, in my secret retirements, with lively emotions 
of soul; and I think I should do it more in family-prayer, 
and more in public ; but it is with some difficulty I bring 
myself to it; and I still find in myself a shyness of doing it. 
The checks I have on my mind which restrain me are, I 
think, such as these : — 

I do not remember that any of our ministers have ever 
expressly and particularly prayed to the Lord Jesus, except 
when the late Mr. Bradshaw, in discoursing or preaching, 
has directed us how we should transact in a covenant-way, 
with each of the persons in the sacred and mysterious Trinity. 
Qn such an occasionhe has directed us to say — " Blessed Jesus ! 
assert thy right, erect thy throne in my soul, and bring every 
power thereof, and every member of my body, into subjec- 
tion io tny law." Besides that, I do not call to mind any 



JEt.D*!. WORSHIP DUE TO THE LORD JESUS. 195 

instance of addressing him directly in prayer. Our Blessed 
Saviour's direction is, ' say — Our Father which art in hea- 
ven ;' — ' Pray to thy Father which is in secret ;' and his pro- 
mise is — ' \\ hatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, 
he will give it you.' And his own example seems to speak 
for it — ' Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, 
the hour is come.' But then, on the other hand : — 

It is a question whether by 'our Father,' ' thy Father/ 
and ' the Father,' be meant the person of God the Father, as 
distinct from God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. It 
seems to me, I confess, that in numerous passages in the 
New Testament where Christ speaks of 'the Father/ lie 
means the Deity in an absolute sense, without respect 
to any distinction of personality. This seems confirmed 
by what our Lord says to Philip, — c He that has seen 
me has seen the Father / * I am in the Father and the 
Father in me ;' ' the Father dwelleth in me / ' I and the Fa- 
ther are one.' — Our Lord, also, promises — ' Whatsoever ye 
shall ask in my name, that will I do / ' If ye shall ask any 
tiling in my name, I will do it/ Now, if Christ will do for 
us whatsoever we ask in his name, he certainly hears our 
prayers. If he hear the prayers offered at the same time, in 
all parts of the world, and can do what is asked of him, he 
must be God ; and therefore the object of divine worship 
and adoration. It should seem to have been the general 
practice in primitive times : — When the Lord had appeared 
to S aul, as he was going to Damascus, and after that, said in 
a vision to Ananias — '-Arise, and go to one called Saul of 
Tarsus ;' Ananias saith — ' Lord, I have beard by many of 
this, man/ ' and here he hath authority from the chief priests 
to bind all that call on thy name.' And when ' straightway 
he preached Christ in the synagogues,' ' all that heard him 
were amazed and said— Is not this he that destroyed 
them which called on this name in Jerusalem V To me it 
is plain and undeniable, from these scriptures, that the pri- 

o £ 



196 WORSHIP DUE TO THE LORD JESUS. 1744* 

mitive christians called on the name of our Lord Jesus ; that 
is, made him the object of their worship. This is confirmed 
by the Apostle's dedication of the first epistle to the Corin- 
thians — 'To all that in every place call upon the name of 
Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours/ The apostle, 
elsewhere, prays — ' Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and 
God even our Father/ * comfort your hearts ;' and as 
Christ is, by way of distinction, called the Lord, generally, in 
the New Testament, it is very probable Paul means him 
when he says — e For this thing I besought the Lord thrice/ 
Farthermore, the Apostle says — ? Ye serve the Lord Christ/ 
How do we serve him, if we never pray to him ? Again, he 
says—' I can do all things through Christ which strengthened! 
me/ Doth Christ strengthen his people, and ought they 
not to pray to him for supplies of strength ? To me it is no 
small confirmation of this truth, that I find it to have been 
the opinion of the Rev. and great Mr. Baxter. In a sermon 
I have of his, preached at London, at the funeral of a Shrop- 
shire gentlewoman, from these words — ' Lord Jesus, receive 
my spirit/ he raises this among many other doctrines — 
. " That Christ is to be prayed to ; and that it is not our duty 
to direct all our prayers only to the Father :" to which he 
adds this distinction, which I wish I understood better— 
" Especially those things that belong to the office of the Me- 
diator, as interceding for us in heaven, must be request- 
ed of the Mediator ; and those things which belong to 
the Father to give for the sake of the Mediator, must 
be asked of the Father for his sake." Agreeably to 
which, when he had observed before, that "Stephen shut 
up all the action of his life, in imitation of his suffering 
Lord, with a two-fold request to heaven ; the one for himself 
that his spirit might be received, the other for his murderers, 
that this sin might not be laid to their charge /' he notes, 
" only with this difference — Christ directeth his prayer im- 
mediately to the Father, and Stephen to Christ, as being one 



jEt.5*. 

that had a Mediator, when Christ had none, as needing 
none; and being now bearing witness, by his suffering, to 
Christ, it was therefore seasonable to pray to him : but es- 
pecially because it was an act of mediation that he petition- 
ed] for, and therefore directeth his petition to the Mediator." 
My own experience abundantly confirms me in this opinion, 
and in a resolution to persevere in this practice to my dying 
day. 

LorcTs-day, April 8, 1744. I am confirmed in my opi- 
nion as above, with proper limitations, by what I find in Dr. 
Owen's Christologia, or Declaration of the glorious mystery 
of the person of Christ, God-man; chap. ix. — where he proves 
it to be our duty to invocate the name of Christ in a practical 
manner, and that this has been the ordinary, solemn way of the 
worship of the church. He notes five particular seasons in'' 
which this peculiar invocation of Christ, who in his divine 
person is both our God and our Advocate, is necessary for 
us, and most acceptable to him : — 

" Times of great distresses in conscience through tempta- 
tions and desertions. In this state and condition he is pro- 
posed as full of tender compassion, and able to relieve them. 
In that himself hath suffered being tempted, he is * touched 
with the feeling of our infirmities/ and knows how to have 
compassion on them that are out of the way. ( He is able to 
succour them that are tempted.' A time of trouble is a time 
of special exercise of faith in Christ. ' Let not your hearts 
be troubled/ saith he, 'ye believe in God, believe also in 
me.' Distinct actings of faith on Christ are the great meaus 
of support and relief in trouble, and it is by special invoca- 
tion that they put forth and exert themselves." 

" Times of gracious discoveries, either of the glory of 
Christ in himself, or of his love to us, are seasons that call 
for this duty. The glory of Christ in his person and offices 
is always the same, and the revelation that is made of it in 
the scriptures varieth not ; but, as to our perception and ap- 

o 3 



198 WORSHIP DUE TO THE LORD JESUS. 1744. 

probation thereof, whereby our hearts and minds are affected 
with it in a special manner, there are apparent seasons of it 
which no believers are unacquainted with, and in such sea- 
sons are they drawn forth and excited unto invocation and 
praise. So also, the love of Christ to his church is always 
the same : Howbeit, there are peculiar seasons of the ma^ 
nifestation and application of a sense of it to the souls of be- 
lievers. So it is when it is witnessed to them, or shed abroad 
in their hearts by the Holy Ghost. Then it is accompanied 
with a constraining power to oblige us to live ' unto him who 
died for us and rose again/ and invocation of him is no small 
part of our spiritual life unto Christ." — This was sweetly 
exemplified in myself on that memorable evening, February 
17, 1742. 

" Times of persecution for his name's sake, and for the pro- 
fession of the gospel, are other seasons of invocating the Cap- 
tain of our salvation. At such times their thoughts will be 
greatly exercised about him, and conversant with him. They 
cannot but frequently think and meditate on him for whom 
they suffer. None ever suffered persecution on just grounds, 
with sincere ends, and in a due manner, but it was so with 
them. Aud-such persons have deep and fixed apprehensions 
of the special concernment the Lord Christ hath in them as 
to their present condition, and of his power to support diem 
and work out their deliverance. They know and consider 
that ' in all their afflictions he is afflicted,' suffers in all their 
sufferings, and is persecuted in all their persecutions. In 
these circumstances it is impossible for them not to make 
special applications continually unto him for those aids of his 
grace which their condition calls for." 

" When we have a due apprehension of the eminent actings 
of any grace in Christ Jesus, and therewith, a deep and abid- 
ing sense of our own want of the same grace, that is a special 
season to invocate Christ for the increase of it. The great 
design of all believers is to be like Jesus Christ, wherefore, 



Mt, 0<2. THE OMNISCIENCE OP GOD. 199 

■when they have a view of the glory of any grace as it was ex- 
ercised in Christ, and withal a sense of their own want of the 
same grace, they cannot but apply themselves to him in solemn 
invocation for a farther communication of that grace to them 
from his infinite fulness. Nor can there be any more effec- 
tual way or means to draw supplies of grace from him. When 
in a holy admiration of any grace as exercised in him, with a 
sense of our own want thereof, we ask it of him in faith, lie 
will not deny it unto us. So the disciples, when our Lord 
presseth on them a forgiving spirit and temper, pray to him 
to c increase' their faith." - 

" The time of death, whether natural, or violent for his 
sake, is a season of the same nature. So Stephen prays 
« — i Lord Jesus receive my spirit/ The more we have been 
in the exercise of faith on him in our lives, the more ready 
will it be in the approaches of death. It is a part of his me- 
diatorial office to receive the souls of believers uuto glory; 
therefore, in that awful hour should they ' direct their prayer, 
and look up' to him, ' to keep them from falling, and to pre- 
sent themselves faultless before the presence of his glory 
with exceeding joy.' " 

THE OMNISCIENCE OF GOD. 

L,or(Fs-day, June 17, 1744. How amazing is the om- 
niscience of God ! What is all our knowledge, what the 
knowledge of an archangel, if compared with his ? Gredt, 
omniscient Majesty i thou knewest, from all eternity, 
whatsoever hath been, is, or shall be wrought in time. Thou 
knowest and carest for every kingdom, community, family, 
and person upon earth. From everlasting thou knewest me, 
when I should be born, of what parents, in what circum- 
stances, how I should be educated, and what part I should 
act on this stage of clay. Lord, thou knew 7 est me, whilst I 
knew not myself. Thy all-comprehending mind takes in, at 
one. view, the several ranks and innumerable families of crea- 

o 4 



200 THE OMNISCIENCE OF GOD, 1744. 

tures in their perpetual successions. Not a reptile or insect, 
not a mite or animalculum, escapes thy cognizance, much 
less an immortal soul. The whole system of providence is 
before thee. Thou knewest from everlasting, that I should 
direct my thoughts to thee at this time, and yvhether I 
should do it in sincerity or hypocrisy, Thou knowest how I 
ghall employ myself this day, and what I shall do the next. 
Thou knowest how I have disposed of one child in marriage, 
and whetherl shall do so by the rest, and to whom, and what 
joy or sorrow I shall have in them. Thou knowest what 
quantity of riches I have acquired by thy blessing, what more 
shall be added, and how I shall bestow it both in life and at 
death. Thou knowest what farther trials wall be set before 
me, by temptations to luxury, vanity, dishonesty, or unchas- 
tity; and how I shall acquit myself therein : what trials of op- 
position, contradiction, censure, reproach and contempc I 
shall be farther called to conflict with, for the sake of Ch/ ; st 
and of a good conscience : what trials of crosses and loss ii$ 
trade, or by the perverse temper and behaviour of relations 
and friends, or by their afflictions and death ; and how I shall 
sustain them : what pains of body I must farther endure, and 
what measure of patience and resignation I shall exercise 
under them. Thou knowest the day of my death, the man- 
ner and other circumstances of it, which are all hid from me ; 
whether at home or abroad, whether by a sudden stroke of 
thy hand, or by lingering illness, or gradual decays of nature ; 
whether I shall have bitter conflicts with the enemy of souls, 
•and the last enemy, death, or whether I shall have an easy and 
complete victory over both ; — whether my sun shall set under 
a cloud, or whether I shall have hope in death and ' an en- 
trance ministered unto me abundantly into the everlasting 
kingdom of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ/ Thou 
knowest what my passage shall be into the invisible world, 
which to me is covered with impenetrable darkness ; what 
shall be my state and employment there ; whether I shall 



uFt.5Z. ' SELF-EXAMINATION. 201 

liave my l portion in the lake which burnetii with fire and 
brimstone, which is the second death/ or in the regions of 
immortal light, life and love; whether devils shall triumph 
over me, insult me, jeer and scoff at me, and drag me, as the 
executioners of thy justice, from one engine of misery and 
torture to another ; or whether holy angels, those i minister- 
ing spirits,' whom thou dost ' send forth to minister for them 
who shall be heirs of salvation,' shall be my blessed and joy- 
ful convoy, through the immense fields of ether, to the hea- 
venly Jerusalem — the paradise of God, and which of the 
blessed spirits shall be the first to hail me welcome thither. 

SELF-EXAMINATION . 

Lord's-dai/, August 12, 1744. The minister* hath been 
preaching, in a lively and pungent manner, from these w r ords 
— ' Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove 
your own selves, know ye not your own selves, how that 
Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates :' He closed 
his discourse with a pressing exhortation, to examine and 
prove ourselves, and to do it now. It is implied, he said, 
that if Christians do examine themselves, their rule of trial 
will be — whether Jesus Christ be in them. Be this my rule 
of trial, at this time. Adored be his grace, who hath ' re- 
vealed' his Son in me, I am not afraid to be searched, though 
1 know it will be an awful test. I must stand before the 
Lord of glory, whose ' eyes are as f a flame of fire,' who 
i searcheth the reins and hearts,' who hath seen all the sin- 
fulness of my heart, and hath been witness to all my open 
transgressions and secret abominations. I tremble at the 
thought of standing before his tribunal, and being sifted by 
him, who is privy to all the intents of my heart. Yet, in the 
main, I fear not the trial, nor its important consequences. 

• 
* The Rev. Job Orton, then of Shrewsbury, but who afterward re- 
tired to Kidderminster, where he died July 19, 1783,aged 66. He was 
tsjJihor of that highly esteemed work, the Life of Dr. Doddridge, 



204 HAPPY TEMPER AT THE LORd's TABLE. 1744-5* 

over us the banner of his love :' To the Holy Spirit, who 
had formed our hearts anew, and would, by his quickening*, 
comforting influences, < seal us to the day of redemption :' 
To the holy Angels, who were present, rejoicing in the grace 
vouchsafed to us, and in our sincere and affectionate devo- 
tions : To devils, who w r ould envy, rage and pine at our 
glorious privileges, while we, * in the strength of the Lord 
of hosts, the Captain of our salvation,' might bid defiance to 
all the powers of darkness : To our fellow-men, both saints 
and sinners ; to animate the former, to strengthen and con- 
firm their hands ; to testify to the latter, where our hopes are 
founded for redemption and everlasting life, and mark out to 
them the way to blessedness. Lastly, to ourselves ; for invi- 
gorating our graces, strengthening our resolutions to be the 
Lord's, and that we may receive of his fulness all needful 
supplies. With what humble boldness did I appeal to the 
omniscient God, to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 
that each of the Divine Persons knew the sincerity and in- 
tegrity of my heart, amidst all „the imperfections and frailties 
with which I am encompassed ! With what holy freedom 
and confidence could I desire of God to search and try me, 
my own heart not condemning me f How did my heart glow 
with thankfulness and admiration, at the amazing condescen- 
sion and love of God in Christ Jesus to a creature so mean, 
so vile and sinful ! Had the tide of sacred joy swelled a few 
degrees higher, I could hardly have restrained myself from 
crying out in the congregation — Oh! he is conie, he is come ! 
Such a sacramental season, 1 am sure I never was favoured 
with before. ' Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but to 
thy name be all the praise.' Oh ! may 1 now more than 
ever adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour. May I main- 
tain high, reverential thoughts of God, and more lowly 
thoughts of myself ! May I cherish a thankful frame, walk 
humbly and closely with my God and Saviour in all things ! 
Amen. Hallelujah! 



JEt.55. PRAYER FOR THE CHOICE OF A MINISTER. 205 

SOCIAL PRAYER FOR THE CHOICE OF A MINISTER, 

Saturday, March 9, 1745. Our gracious God hath won- 
derfully appeared for us, I humbly trust, in answer to our 
earnest prayers. Our late worthy minister, the Rev. M. 
Bradshaw, died November 10, 1742.. Soon after his death, 
a few pious friends agreed with me to unite our prayers 
twice a week, that God would provide for us a pastor after 
his own heart. This we did by ourselves in a private room, 
over and above the many public meetings for prayer on the 
same account. Ever since we began this course in private, 
the sensible experience of the Divine presence we have had 
with us, hath kept up our hope, that ' the great Shepherd 
and Bishop of souls' would interpose in our favour, and bring 
our religious contentions to a happy issue ; and our deliver- 
ance hath been brought about by a remarkable train of pro- 
vidences. Never did I hear such pleadings, appeals, ex- 
postulations. Neverdid I feel such inward wrestlings. Tears 
I found in abundance. I hope we could all in some degree 
say — l the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up/ Surely, that 
God, who poured out upon us such a ' spirit of grace and 
supplication/ hath heard t in heaven his dwelling place/ and 
granted us the desire of our souls. 

Well said holy Asaph, and no doubt from sensible experi- 
ence — * It is good for me to draw nigh to God.' A mighty 
conflict he had with himself, in which he had been sorely 
tempted to envy the irreligious, and to entertain hard thoughts 
of a good God, and of his dispensations : but, by conversing 
with God in exercises of devotion, he was enabled to over- 
come the temptation, and wasaconfirmed in his choice of God 
as his ' portion/ and of religion as his way and walk. God 
had given him a clearer discerning than he had before, of the 
fearful end of a vain, wicked life, however attended with ease 
and wealth, prosperity and pleasure; and, howsoever it might 
be closed, with an entire freedom from those anxieties about a 
future state, which sully and becloud the period of many a life 



206 PRAYER FOR THE CHOICE OF A MINISTER. 1745. 
devoted to God and religion. And, how good hath it been for 
me to draw nigh to God ! Oh ! how sweet, how refresh- 
ing, how comforting and confirming, have these seasons been, 
ever since we began our private meetings for social prayer. 
We first engaged therein not without great fear and l trem- 
bling for the ark of God ;' but, such rich experiences, such 
sensible tokens of the presence of God were we favoured 
with, both then and ever since, as marvellously animated our 
faith in God, — c caused light to arise out of darkness/ even 
when the clouds gathered the thickest blackness, and still 
'in hope to believe against hope.' How remarkably, how 
seasonably did God appear for us ! He hath far outdone our 
warmest hopes, our fondest expectations. It plainly ap- 
pears, that those circumstances, of which we were ready to 
say, as good old Jacob did — ( All these things are against 
me/ have eventually contributed much towards bringing 
about the desired end. 

LorcT s-d ay y March 17, 1745. Mr. Fawcett, the minister 
of our unanimous choice, declared his cordial acceptance of 
our invitation from the pulpit, to a crowded audience to-day; 
and at the close of the public worship, our congregation 
sung the following hymn: — 

To thy great name, O Prince of Peace ! 

Our grateful song we raise ; 
Accept, thou Sun of Righteousness ! 

The tribute of our praise. 

In widow'd state, these walls no more 
Their mourning weeds shall wear ; 

Thy messenger shall peace restore, 
And ev'ry breach repair. 

Thy providence our souls admire> 

With joy its windings trace, 
And shout, in one united choir, 

The triumphs of thy grace ! 



yFt.53. NATIONAL CALAMITY CONTEMPLATED. 207 

Our happy union, Lord, maintain; 

Here, let thy presence dwell ; 
And thousands, loos'd from Satan's chain, 

Raise from the brink of hell. 

Distressed churches pity, Lord! 

Their dismal breaches close ; 
Unite their sons in sweet accord, 

And troubled minds compose. 

In all be purity maintain'd, 

Peace like a river flow ; 
And pious zeal, and love unfeign'd, 

In ev'ry bosom glow. 

NATIONAL CALAMITY CONTEMPLATED. 

To Mr. Barnabas Richards.* 

Kidderminster, September 11, 1745. 

DEAR BROTHER, 

Our society keeps this day, as a day of solemn humiliation 
and prayer, on account of the commotions in the North/]- and 
the farther dangers which threaten our king and nation. [ 
own to you, that I do expect perilous times are approach- 
ing. If I be mistaken, and the present disturbances should 
be soon composed, deep humiliation before God, earnest, 
frequent prayer to him, and diligent preparation of every 
kind for the worst that may befal, will do nobody any harm. 
Think not that my apprehensions proceed from an abject < 
timidity. I bless God, I have nothing to fear for myself, 
and I sensibly experience that the more I am found in the 
before-mentioned exercises, the more courage 1 gain, and 
the more humble confidence in God's faithfulness and all- 
sufficiency, who will not fail to protect those that trust in 

* This gentleman, who died about April, 1772, was an Examiner to 
the Court of Chancery, and married a sister of Mr. Williams: see p. 96. 
f Scotland, 



2Q8 CHRIST 'DELIVERED FOR OUR OFFENCES.' 1745. 

him, and commit themselves, their ways, and all their impor- 
tant interests to his conduct, prudence, and disposal. That 
you and yours ; that I and mine ; may be ' hid in his pavi- 
lion/ 'in the secret of his tabernacle/ 'until the indignation 
be overpast/ is the daily prayer of your, &c. 

J. W. 

CHRIST ' DELIVERED FOR OUR OFFENCES.' 

Lord's-day, November 3, 1745. The minister, Mr. 
Fawcett, hath been discoursing on these words of the apos- 
tle — ' Who was delivered for our offences/ Strange doctrine ! 
Should I not think it so, had I not been blessed with the re- 
velation of the gospel ? That glorious ' mystery, which hath 
been hid from ages/ and is still hid from most of the nations, 
is revealed unto me, and blessed be God, not only in the let- 
ter, but in the spirit of it. Blessed be God, who hath given 
me an appropriating faith to say — Jesus ' was delivered to 
death' for my ' offences.' He died as my surety, as a crimi- 
nal, as a sinner in the eye of the law, though not before God, 
and though 'he knew no sin, that I might be made the 
righteousness of God in him/ agreeably to the tenor of the 
new, the everlasting covenant, in which he is become ' the 
Lord my righteousness ;' at the same time that I am a sinner 
in the sight of God, and ' the chief/ or among the chief in 
my own account. In the discourse, how did my heart 
throb! How did every bowel within me roll! How did I 
long after the conversion of sinners, that those who are yet 
' aliens and strangers/ might be made ' fellow-citizens with 
the saints, and of the household of God/ and particularly 
for those of my own household ! Sorry I was, at the close 
of the duty, to see so many dry eyes, when my own had 
been so drenched; and, so many faces wearing an air 
of unconcern, while ' my heart burned within me.' And, 
how sweet was my commemoration of the death and suffer- 
ings of Christ at his table ! How ' constraining' was the 



jEt.53. THE saints' triumph. 209 

power of ' his love !' ' I sat under his shadow with great de- 
light, and his fruit was sweet to my taste/ ' He brought me 
to the banqueting-house, and his banner over me was love.' 
Certainly such a sacramental season I have not been favoured 
with since the memorable August 26, 1 744 Certainly, l it 
was good for me to be there/ My soul was ' borne as on 
eagle's wings/ ' Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that 
is within me bless his holy name/ 

THE SAINTS' TRIUMPH OVER DEATH 
AND THE GRAVE. 

I know to saints Death oft is styl'd a friend, 
Who both to sin and sorrow puts an end : 
But view him in his long and dismal train — 
Pale anguish, mortal sickness, thrilling pain, 
The tedious hours, the weary, sleepless nights, 
Dull, faiuting spirits, anxious fears, and frights ; 
Expiring nature's last convulsive strife, 
The rending throes that close the ills of life ; 
Survey these gloomy scenes, and mark their end ; 
Then say — are these the tokens of a friend ? 

Ah, cruel Death ! thine be the wages strange 
Of God-provoking sin! how dire the change! 
That curious engine sacred skill devis'd, 
How are its organs now anmechanis'd ! 
Its ears are stopp'd, its eyes profoundly dim, 
And sprightly vigour left each unnerv'd limb. 
The pallid corse observe — what horror reigns 
O'er the whole fabric of the sad remains, 
Which now demand a mansion under ground. 
With midnight curtains closely drawn around ;■ 
Neglected there, th' unweeting victim must 
Submit to worms, and change to parent-dust. 
Yet, lo ! a day will come when saints shall rise 
In renovated forms, and gain the skies ! 
P 



210 HIS LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM. 1745. 

Beyond the tomb no foes in ambush rove ; 
None there but friends, and all th' employment love! 
JVhy then complain of sorrows that attend 
Your latest days, and clog your journey's end ? 
Dim eyes, deaf ears, with each enfeebl'd sense, 
Are needful warnings of departure hence : — 
They give th' alarm, and summon ev'ry pow'r 
To stand prepar'd, and meet th' important hour. 
One sharp dispute will end the arduous strife, 
And crown the victor with eternal life ! 

Sr/all Death be vanquish'd, and his frightful train ? 
Will ransom'd souls this certain conquest gain ?— 
Are heav'n's unfading glories surely won 
By ev'ry saint whose mortal race is run?— 
Come, then, ye saints ! anticipate the joy ; 
Let no base fears your cheering hopes destroy ! 
Oh ! may your hearts with love perpetual glow, 
And all your breath be praise while here below. 
Triiuiiph in lively faith, and joyful sing — 
Grave! where's thy vict'ry? — where, O Death! thy 
sting ! 

HE ASSOCIATES IN DEFENCE OF HIS KING 
AND COUNTRY. 

Saturday, November 9, 1745. Last Thursday night our 
accounts from the North wearing a threatening aspect, a 
proposal was made for raising an independent company of 
volunteers in the service of our king and country ; and, pub- 
lic notice thereof being given yesterday, an association was 
signed last night by thirty men, and to-day by twenty-five 
more, and four others offered themselves while I was finish- 
ing my letter to the Bishop of Worcester. We have therein 
engaged, in case our army should be defeated, or even in case 
our coasts should be invaded by a foreign enemy, in entire 
subjection to the martial laws, to join ourselves to any of the 




JEt. 53. HIS LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM. 211 

king's regiments of foot, and engage in any martial enter- 
prise, till the said rebellion and invasion be entirely quelled. 

I humbly trust that I have engaged in this association, not 
from slavish fear, or distrust of the divine goodness or faith- 
fulness, but as a lawful means, necessary to be used in a time 
of danger, in entire dependance on the protection, direction, 
and blessing of Heaven : for, with what propriety can I pray 
for that to be done for me, which I have in my own power 
to do? How can I trust in God, without presumption, to 
deliver me from invading enemies, while I neglect to exert 
the powers he hath given me for my own deliverance ! When 
in the way of earnest, incessant prayer, and dependance on 
God, I have taken the wisest precautions, and used my best 
endeavours for my own defence, and all proves inadequate, 
then I have a sufficient warrant to trust him, for that which is 
out of the power of man. His ways are infinitely above our 
ways, nor will he condescend to do what can be done by a 
creature. When our blessed Lord would raise dead Laza- 
rus from the grave, he could as easily have commanded the 
stone, that lay upon it, to rise, as he could say — e Lazarus, 
come forth !' but the strength of man was equal to remove 
it, therefore, he said to them that stood by — i Take ye away 
the stone.' Again, he could easily by the word of his power 
have loosed the hands and feet of Lazarus from the grave- 
clothes, and his face from the napkin, but all this, creatures 
could do : accordingly he said — ' Loose him, and let him go/ 
Frequently were the people of God, in Old Testament times, 
invaded by their enemies ; but they were never delivered be- 
fore they stood forward in their own defence, though often- 
times God interposed in their favour in a wonder-working 
way. We must l trust in the Lord, and do good ;' and \ commit 
our souls to him in well doing, as to a faithful Creator. ' # 

* This Association consisted of about a hundred members, accoutred 
chiefly at Mr. W.'s expence. The letter, conveying the approbation of 
Government, through the medium of the Secretary at War, for this ex- 

P 2 



m% 



NATIONAL DISTRESS IMPROVED. 



1745, 



"INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPIRITUAL IMPROVEMENT 
IN NATIONAL DISTRESS. 
To Mrs. E. Richards. 

Kidderminster, November 25, 1745. 

BEAR SISTER, 

* The hand of the Lord is* now ' lifted up' over England, 
The Lord's voice crieth to the nation — ' Hear ye the rod, and 
who hath appointed it.' Every aiBiction hath a voice, but 
this rebellion hath a very loud voice. It cries — 'Is there 
evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it/ ' Humble 
yourself, therefore, under the mighty hand of God ;' and 
€ sigh and cry, for all the abominations that be done in the 
midst' of us. If you do so, as good old Mr. Blackmore* 
told us thirty years ago—" God will note you, and Christ 
will mark you." Do not give way to despondency, but fly 
to the promises. That is the way to obtain a holy mag- 
nanimity. Sympathize with your suffering brethren. We 
have not yet seen the rebellious troops, nor experienced the 
distress occasioned by the immediate alarm of war ; yet, let 
us pity and pray for those who are distressed therewith. 
6 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them.' 
Sit loose to every thing here. If your ' treasure' be in hea- 
ven, your heart will be there; and if your heart be there, 
your ' conversation' will be there. Cast up the account, 
what it will cost to part with the dearest of all earthly enjoy- 
ments, and try whether you have faith enough to bear your 
charges. If you can lay down your 'life' for Christ, you 
xan part with every thing else ; if not, you i cannot be' his 
' disciple.' This may seem a hard saying to flesh and blood, 
but it is Christ's own terms, and he will abate nothing thereof: 

emplary act ofloyalty, was preserved by Mr. W.'s descendants to within 
a few years since. 

* The Rev. Chewning Blackmore, of Worcester, where he was suc- 
ceeded in 173?, by the Rev. F. Spilsbitry,jun. 



Mt. J-i. NATIONAL DISTRESS IMPROVED. 213 

flv then, to that strong hold as a prisoner of hope. Does he 
not call you to ' come' to him, and bring your ' burdens' with 
you ; your sorrows as well as your sins. Especially, be 
much in prayer Whatever ails you, seek relief at ' the 
throne of grace.' God in Christ is accessible to poor sin- 
ners ; and he hath mercies in store suited to every case. 
Whither should children go with all their complaints, but to 
their Father ? How many besides l Hannah,' having cast 
their burdens on the Lord, and poured out their souls before 
him in prayer, — have gone away, and been s no more sad !' 
Oh ! that you knew what experiences of this kind, a poor 
worthless worm has been favoured with in the last three years. 
When loaded with new reproaches, times without number, 
for ' contending earnestly for the faith which was once deli- 
vered unto the saints ;' I had nothing else to do, but to retire 
and spread the case before God in Christ, and I was sure to 
tind a speedy relief. How oft have I sensibly felt a sacred 
flame kindle in my soul on my first address to my God and 
Saviour! How sensible, many a time, have been the tokens 
of his presence and favour, which has caused me to strain not 
only every faculty of my mind, but every nerve in my body, 
to embrace ' him whom my soul loveth.' ' Ask and you shall 
receive ;' but then, you must ask in faith. When the two 
blind men prayed Christ to have mercy on them, his answer 
was — 'According to your faithbe it unto you :' and how often, 
in how many cases, do you find him saying — 'Thy faith hath 
saved thee ;' ' thy faith hath made thee whole,' &c. Now, 
faith pleads the promises, and rests on the all-sufficiency and 
veracity of the Promiser. It believes not only that he can do 
all things, but likewise that ' he is faithful that hath pro- 
mised,' who also will do it. We do in effect beg a denial, 
when we ask ' wavering' and not in faith. What provokes a 
man more than to hear his veracity called in question ? 
Now we do in effect call in question the veracity of God, 
when we doubt whether he will bestow on us the mercies his 

p 3 



214 THE HIDDEN LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN. 1746. 

promise hath encouraged us to pray for ; and is not that a vile 
affront to the Majesty of heaven ? * This is the confidence 
that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to 
his will, he heareth us.' If we be in Christ we have this con- 
fidence ; and if we draw near to God without this humble 
confidence of faith, we do not behave worthy such a relation 
or privilege. Every body believes that God can do this or 
that ; yea, that he l can do all things \ therefore, true faith 
must be something more than a bare belief of his almighty 
power : few pray to Christ believing that he will do this or 
that for them, for his promise sake, and for i Christ's sake/ 
That you and yours may be preserved from every evil, bo- 
dily and spiritual, is the fervent prayer of, dear sister, your 
affectionate brother, 

J. W. 

THE HIDDEN LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN I 

AND, A CHRISTIAN REJOICING THAT HIS CHILDREN ARE 
' BORN AGAIN.' 

To Mr. Barnabas Richards. 

Warrington, January 31, 1746. 

DEAR BROTHER, 

It is Saturday night, and I am reflecting on the week that 
is past. I find it to have been a week of great prosperity in 
trade concerns ; I have been preserved in bad ways and wea- 
ther ; but especially I rejoice to find that the peace and 
comfort of my mind do not depend on outward contingen- 
cies. Oh ! what is the hidden life of a Christian ; that ' life' 
of his which ' is hid with Christ in God,' or with God in 
Christ. Neither miry roads, nor heavy showers, nor stormy 
winds, can deprive me of the 'joy of faith.' When cisterns 
fail whither should I betake myself, but to the Fountain that 
never fails ! A footman, whom I overtook in a hard shower, 
said to me—" Master, you and I are on the wrong side of 
the thatch." Ay, thought I, but I can c rejoice in hope 5 that 



Ait. 54. THE HIDDEN LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN. 215 

I ' have a building of God, an bouse not made with hands, 
eternal in the heavens.' Be the weather as it may, my mind 
is becalmed, believing that Christ hath delivered me from, the 
' quicksands' of sin, even of my ' own iniquity,' and hath 
screened me from the ' snares, fire, and brimstone, and the 
horrible tempest,' which God will ' rain upon the wicked.' 
1 call and cry — ' My Jesus ! my Lord !' and he never fails to 
give me some token of his favour. If I have nothing else to 
say, I ejaculate — My Jesus ! and I have the inward witness 
that he hath loved me l with an everlasting love,' and is draw- 
ing me 'with everlasting kindness.' Sometimes 1 travel with 
good company ; we animate and edify ' one another, to pro- 
voke unto love and to good works,' and strengthen each 
other's hands in God. Sometimes I meet with vain, carnal, 
swearing company ; I heartily pity such, and adore the grace 
which made me to differ.* Lord, why am not J as vile as they, 
as ignorant of thee, of myself, of my best interests ! Was not 
I by nature as blind, as stupid, as corrupt as they ? 

" Why was J made to hear thy voice, 
" And enter while there's room; 

" When thousands make a wretched choice, 
" And rather starve than come !" 

Watts. 

Lord's-day evening. Company came in last night, and 
prevented my proceeding. I have had but a poor day here. 
My old friend, Dr. Charles Owenf departed hence, about 
eleven months ago. A year ago, upon his death-bed, he 
held me by the hand above a quarter of an hour, expressing 
in broken accents marks of great affection for me, and great 
joy for our happy settlement with Mr. Fawcett, and the suc- 

* 1 Corin. iv. 7. 

f " He was a man of good learning, of a most amiable temper and 
polite behaviour, who had usually two or three young men with him, en- 
gaged in studies preparatory to the ministry." — Orton's Letters to Dis- 
senting Ministers, vol. i. page xvrii. 

P 4 



216 REJOICING OVER HIS CHILDREN. 1746. 

cess I related to him of the Methodists. He was glad to 
learn that some things he had heard to the disadvantage of 
the brothers, John and Charles Wesley, were not true ; and 
though he had a higher esteem for Mr. Whitefield, yet he 
knew how to make allowance for a difference of sentiments 
while they hold the Head, and rejoiced that Christ was ' mag- 
nified' in them and by them- This good man would fain be 
succeeded by his son, # who preaches exceeding accurately, or 
rather, reads beautiful discourses, full of pretty turns, and 
quaint contrasts ; setting forth practical truths, which every 
thinking man's reason and judgment must needs assent to : 
but, not a single sentence which has any great tendency to 
work on our fear or hope, love or hatred, joy or sorrow : 
not a word of our depravity by nature, the necessity of rege- 
neration ; our need of a Saviour, the efficacy of his blood ; or 
any thing that is food for immortal souls. How differently 
does Mr. Fawcett go on ! He preaches the gospel of Christ, 
and the necessity and nature of the new-birth, with simpli- 
city and power ; and is * instant in season' and ' out of sea- 
son ;' visiting and catechising, and privately conversing with 
the awakened: and God is with him 'of a truth.' He had 
added sixty communicants to the church, before my daughter 
Esther, who, with others, was taken in the first sabbath of 
last month ; and, I cannot but hope, great numbers are ripen- 
ing apace for the sacred supper. 

I suppose I told you, when last at London, what hopes I 
had that, out of six young persons in my family, five were 
savingly wrought on, and that I was not without hopes about 
the sixth. Since my return, I had observed growing evi- 
dences in the five, but was held in suspense with respect to 
my daughter Sarah. I have had some remarkable seasons, 
|n which my desires have been carried out for the conversion 
of each of my children, and others : first, for Phebe, then for 

* The Rev. John Owen, who died about 1775. See Orion's " Let- 
ters." Vol. J. page 15C« 



.£7.54. REJOICING OVER HIS CHILDREN. '217 

Hetty, and more recently for Sally. I experienced great en- 
largement in thus interceding for the latter, either on Christ- 
mas-day, or some evening near to it ; and rising from my 
knees set myself to consider what farther I could do for her. 
Knowing her modesty and reservedness to be such that 1 
could not engage her to talk freely with me on her soul con- 
cerns, I felt strongly inclined to write to her, winch I did 
while the impetus was on my mind, and then put the letter 
into her hand. After the interval of a week, I asked her very 
mildly for her answer, when she assured me that she intended 
one soon, and I encouraged her to take her own time. On 
the morrow after the fast-day, she put a letter into my hand, 
which so delights and comforts me, that I cannot forbear 
sending you a copy of it : — 

u January 7, 1746. 

" DEAR PAPA, 

" I am very sorry that I have been so long in answering 
your letter ; it is a great fault in me, but I hope you will not 
think I have been neglectful and thoughtless about it, for in- 
deed it has occasioned me many anxious thoughts Aud now 
I have begun to write, what shall I say ! how, or in what 
manner, shall L express myself! But, I know I need not 
be over concerned about that, for as you have the tenderness 
of a father, so you will overlook infirmities. My dear papa, 
you desire to know in what state I am. I cannot but take 
great pleasure iu reviewing the tender concern you shew for 
me. You tell me, that you hope both my sisters are in 
Christ, and it is happy for them ; and oh ! that you could say 
the same of me, that I am in Christ too. Alas ! I have a 
hard, rocky heart to be subdued, and a nature all depraved, 
corrupted, filthy and abominable in the sight of God, which 
can be cleansed only in the blood of Christ — the precious 
blood of the Redeemer of lost sinners : Oh ! how shall I 
procure an interest in this precious blood ? I hope I do de- 
sire and pray for it with all my heart; but, ah ! my 'heart is 



£18 REJOICING OVER HIS CHILDREN. 3 746 

deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked/ I rind 
it so in a very great degree. Yet I cannot say that I have 
felt nothing else besides a hard heart, for I have sometimes 
had my heart drawn out in love and desires after Christ and 
holiness ; and thoughts and views of the felicity and glory 
which are in Christ's presence above have rapt my soul ; but, 
I must take up my lamentation that it has not been more so 
with me. My sins have caused Christ to hide himself from 
my soul. Oh ! I long to be set free from sin, and to have 
Christ ' glorified' and ' magnified' in me : but I have not seen 
enough of my sins yet ! I cannot yet jletest and abhor them 
sufficiently ! Do, my dear papa, go again and again i to the 
throne of grace' to intercede for me ; for indeed I have great 
need of your prayers. I thank you that you have been in- 
terceding for me ; and, that a good God would be pleased to 
smile upon you, and answer your prayers in his own due time, 

is the earnest desire of your dutiful daughter, 

" S. W." 

Now, do not you all rejoice with me, and for me ? I am 
certain you • do and will rejoice.' Is there ' joy in the pre- 
sence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth,' 
and shall not near relations upon earth, shall not a father 
who has ' travailed/ as it were, l in birth' to see Christ Jesus 
formed in every one of his children, rejoice to see, after his 
two eldest have publicly ratified their covenant to be the 
Lord's, that there is in his youngest also, such blooming 
hopes, and ' some good thing found in her towards the Lord 
God of Israel.' 

After all this, my dear brother, give me leave to ask, how 
is it with you ? Have you received Christ Jesus the Lord ? 
Can you say with poor diffident Thomas — l My Lord and 
my God !' Is it with a trembling hand you lay hold on him ? 
Why so ? have not you seen your absolute need of Christ to 
be made ' of God unto you wisdom and righteousness, and 
sanctification, and redemption V Is there not fulness enough 



jEt.54:. SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION TO A DAUGHTER. 219 

in him ; and freeness enough in his invitation ? He offers 
1 wine and milk without money, and without price/ to ' every- 
one that thirsteth/ On the same terms he counsels you to 
buy of him ' gold tried in the fire/ ' white raiment/ and 
' eye-salve.' What can a ' wretched, and miserable, and poor, 
and blind, and naked' soul want or desire that he is not able 
and willing to give ! What then can hinder your having every 
thing in him and from him, but an insensibility of your need ; 
a distrust of his ability, or of his willingness ; or an unbeliev- 
ing refusal to cast yourself on his all-sufficiency and grace ? 
If your unworthiness and sense of former slights, and abuses 
of his grace, discourage and tempt you to fear, then it would 
be presumption in such a one as you to challenge an inter- 
est in him, or apply his merits to your soul. Remember, he 
came not ' to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.' 
What said the Samaritan lepers ? If we ' enter into the city, 
we shall die ; and if we sit still here, we die also / — and if we 
' fall unto the host of the Syrians, we shall but die.' Apply 
this to your trusting absolutely in Christ, and see if there can 
be so great hazard in venturesome believing as in despond- 
ency. May ' the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with 
your spirit/ is the wish, dear brother, of your's, in various 
bonds, 

J. W. 

SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION ADDRESSED TO A 
DAUGHTER. 

To his daughter Esther. 

High- town, Birstall, February 12, 1746. 

MY DEAR HETTY, 

When blood-thirsty Saul, spurred on by envy and rage, 
was hunting David as ' a partridge in the mountains ;' and, 
when that gracious providence which still attended on 
David, had once and again betrayed the pursuer into his 
hands, so that he was in a capacity, at one time, to show 



920 SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION TO A DAUGHTER. 1745. 

' Saul the skirt of his robe* which he had cut off, and at 
another time his i spear and cruse' which he had taken from 
his head, in testimony of his innocency; Saul, covered with 
confusion, cried out — ' Is this thy voice my son David V 
So, but from a different principle, and with another temper 
of mind, on reading the conclusion of your letter, I am 
ready to cry — Is this your voice, my dear Hetty ? Has the 
blessed Jesus visited you with his grace, and made you to 
wonder at the freenesa of it? Have you found it sweet to 
attend on him at the table # he has spread for you in this 
wilderness? Did you, indeed, lie at the foot of his cross, 
waiting for the dro pings of his blood; the manifestations 
of his love ? O my dear child ! it is almost the greatest 
happiness I could wish for you on -this side heaven. I 
had rather you were lying at the foot of the cross, than 
wedded to a prince, or sitting upon an earthly throne. 
As our king sensibly knew within this twelvemonth, 
earthly thrones are very precarious, and while peace- 
ably possessed, are but poor unsatisfactory things : but, 
sure I am, they who now lie at the foot of the cross, shall 
ere long wear a crown, and receive a kingdom which cannot 
be moved. I am glad that you are sensible of your unpro- 
fitableness, and mis-improvement of the means you have en- 
joyed. Your humiliation under a sense thereof, is a good 
improvement of those advantages. Pride was the ruin of 
the devils, and at the bottom of the grand apostacy of man ; 
the former are hardened beyond all possibility of relenting. 
"Whatever humbles us tends to our recovery. True faith re- 
quires the greatest degree of humiliation. It is the most 
humbling thing in the world to trust to Christ alone for sal- 
vation : yea, to deny self entirely, to make no account of 
our self-denial, of our prayers, repentance and faith; — to 
trust in none of these, and to renounce our most splendid 

* She became a communicant, December 1, 1?45. 



y£7. 54. SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION TO A DAUGHTER. 221 

duties by trusting in Christ alone, is not only the most 
humbling, but I may add, the hardest thing in the world. 
Oh ! could we do more of this, we should have more of 
Christ. For want of this soul-humbling trust, many go 
1 about to establish their own righteousness,' and so do ' not 
submit themselves to the righteousness of God,' the righte- 
ousness of Christ who is God, even that by which alone God 
hath appointed to save them who believe. Humble yourself, 
therefore, in the sight of God, and spare not. Think as 
meauly of yourself, and of your duties and services as you 
can ; but yet, do not think yourself too mean for Christ's ac- 
ceptance, while you can say that you long to have your 
hard heart softened by the blood of a dear Redeemer, and to 
have the Spirit of Christ apply the balm of the covenant to 
your wounded soul ; or while you can say, that you desire 
to be satisfied with nothing short of a true and saving inte- 
rest in Christ, and desire to love him above all. With such 
a temper of mind as the above, to think yourself too mean 
for Christ's acceptance, is not so much the effect of humi- 
lity as of unbelief. It is, in fact, to depreciate the love of 
Christ, the preciousness of his blood, and the fulness of his 
merit, as if it extended only to the righteous, whereas it ex- 
tends to the chief of sinners. As a sinner, therefore, and in 
no other capacity, venture to lay hold on Christ, and apply 
his blood to your soul for every saving purpose : for such 
the Saviour died. You fear that you do not see sin so hate- 
ful as you should ; do not mourn enough over your depra- 
vity ; and that you be too backward to, and too partial in 
self-examination. You do well. Happy they who thus 
fear always. But if, therefore, you be afraid to go to Christ, 
and to trust his power and grace to supply what is lacking 
in your repentance, faith, love, &c. you do ill ; you dis- 
honour the Saviour, and wrong your own soul. Whatever 
you want, Christ is that to your soul ; I say, to your soul in 
particular. He 'is all, and in all.' Go to him with every 






222 THE DEALINGS OF PROVIDENCE. 1746. 

complaint, every want, and he will c supply all your need.' 
Say — Lord, I am nothing, but thou art all things ; I am not 
sufficient of myself to think any thing as of myself, but thou 
art all-sufficient ! What need we to want for any thing 
while we can have recourse to such a fountain on every oc- 
casion ; an open fountain, overflowing and ever-flowing ? 
He is the c pure river of water of life :' I am glad you have 
tasted of its streams. That living water he hath given you, 
shall be in you e a well of water springing up into everlast- 
ing life.' Farewell, my dear, but doubt not that Christ is 
and will be infinitely a better friend to you, than is your 
affectionate parent, 

J. W. 

ATTENTION DIRECTED TO THE DEALINGS 
OF PROVIDENCE. 

To Miss Hannah Wilkinson. * 

Halifax, February 13, 1746. 

DEAR MISS, 

I compare the packet I received at Kendal, to a nosegay, 
it is both fragrant and beautiful : my dear wife's part is like 
the sweet-smelling herbs in the middle, interspersed with the 
pleasant jessamine. The four other parts I compare to so 
many beautiful carnations, all different, yet each so agreeably 
striking to the beholder's eye, as to make it hard to deter- 
mine which he most admires. I see, with unspeakable 
pleasure, streams of undissembled piety in each ; and, to- 
gether, they make a most beautiful collection. As the bonds 
of nature are stronger than any other, so to see those de- 
scended from myself travelling in Sion's paths, and singing 
Sion's songs, with lively hopes that they will be my everlast- 
ing associates in singing more rapturous songs in the New 
Jerusalem, affords me the most exquisite delight; next to 
the joys I experience flowing from a sense of the love of 

* bee note to page 128. 



JEt. 54. THE DEALINGS OF PROVIDENCE. 223 

Christ, that ' love which passeth knowledge/ In addi- 
tion to the above, it contributes not a little to the fulness of 
mv joy, to see the pious wishes of a fond parent exactly an- 
swered in you ; to see so noble, so worthy a design succeed 
agreeably to his warmest desires ; and to see a kind provi- 
dence so remarkably interposing, and conducting the whole 
scheme ; the full extent of which, time must develope. Had 
I passed by your dear father, and my now dear friend, in 
silence, when I overtook him returning from chapel, we 
might not to this day have known the faces of each other ; 
and, had I not, after a short conversation, invited him, and 
he accepted the invitation to spend the evening with me, we 
might not have been acquainted. Had not, too, the rebel- 
lion broke out and moved in its course toward the south, 
our acquaintance would scarcely have ripened to such a de- 
gree of friendship, as that I must needs seek his company 
last February ; or that he should so freely open to me his 
concern about his child's immortal interests, and I so 
readily, on a bare query, offer to receive her into my family. 
Were they, then, dear Miss, your conversion and salvation, 
that a kind providence had in view in this concatenation of 
circumstances ? Has my two-fold proposal of sending you 
to Kidderminster, and to my house, been made some way 
subservient to this most important, most gracious design? 
Do you now review with pleasure the time in which we had 
the gratification of your most agreeable company, and shall 
not I partake with you in the pleasure of that review ? Yea, I 
do and will rejoice ! I was filled with expectation, from the 
time the dear man inclined to send you, that his pious inten- 
tion would not be disappointed; and many an earnest 
prayer on that account, to which you were not privy, has 
sounded in * the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth ;' so that your 
dear father, myself, and Mr. Fawcett, but above all the ever- 
blessed Jesus, now see in you of the travail of our souls. 
It not only exalts my joy, but excites my wonder, that so 



224 THE DEALINGS Oj? PROVIDENCE 1746. 

many and great events should follow circumstances so mi- 
nute. Why did I speak with such freedom to your father, 
when he was altogether a stranger to me ? It is not my 
usual way ! Why did I invite him to spend an evening with 
me ? I very often prefer solitude, especially in the evening, 
before the company of the most agreeable friends ! W T ell 
may we adore, and wonder : well may it confirm our faith 
that ' not a sparrow falls to the ground without our heavenly 
Father :' well may we believe that either his right or his left 
hand, his command or permission, lays hold of every cir- 
cumstance ! How careful, therefore, should we be to eye 
his hand, and follow his leadings. It is true, they are not 
always obvious to our understandings, but by a careful ob- 
servance we can scarcely mistake the designs of providence. 
Is it not so with regard to the important concern which now 
lies uppermost in my dear nephew's mind ? I have asked 
your father what he would expect or desire of personal qua- 
lifications, or of secular advantages in a son-in-law, which 
he does not find in him ; especially as I am determined to 
take him into partnership : — and, he confessed to me that 
the proposal contains in it all he can desire for you. Now, 
since a proposal every way so agreeable, though far enough 
from my thoughts till last September, has been made, 
who can doubt but that the complex scheme both of your 
espousals to the great Bridegroom of souls, and to my 
nephew, is. of God; and that he will make the latter con- 
ducive to your temporal, as the former to your everlasting 
happiness ? Yet I will not take upon me to be so positive 
herein as to exclude earnest prayer for counsel and direction 
from above. May he who has looked on you with love, and 
enlightened your darkest moments, choose out your mercies, 
and mark out your way : this has been and shall be the 
earnest intercession of him who intends to do for you all 
that you can reasonably expect from your cordial friend, 

J. W. 



JE& 54. KEY. W. GRIMSHAW's EXPERIENCE. 225 

EXPERIENCE OF THE REV. W. GRIMSHAW, A. B. 

Lord's-day, February 23, 1746. I set out on my Nor- 
thern circuit on Thursday January 23, and returned in eheer- 
ful health on Friday the 21st instant. Blessed be my kind 
Preserver, who carried me unhurt through a variety of dan- 
gers, and gave me greater success than I could reasonably 
expect, considering the late march of the rebels through 
Lancashire and part of Cheshire. On Wednesday the 13th 
instant I reached Hawortb, intending to get the company of 
the minister of that parish, of whom I had heard an excel- 
lent character ; and, indeed, the sweet conversation I had 
with him, abundantly compensated all my sufferings and ex- 
treme dangers, arising from the severity of the season.** 

* The substance of this article is contained in a letter addressed by 
Mr. Williams to the Rev. Malachi Blake of Blandford; it is dated 
Kidderminster, March 5, 1745-6, and printed in the Evangelical Maga- 
zine for November 1791, vol.ii, p. 4G8; and in the succeeding number 
at page 511, is a note by the Editor of that Magazine respecting it 
There are other judicious comments on it at page 32 of * c Memoirs of 
the life of the late Itev. W. Grimshaw, A. B. with occasional reflec- 
tions : By John Newton : in six letters to the Rev, H. Foster. A new 
edition, 1814." Middleton's " Biographia Evangelica," vol. 4, includes 
a respectable account of Mr. G. Subjoined to the table of errata in 
that work is a notice to this effect: — "The information came too late 
for insertion in its proper place; but the reader will be pleased to know, 
that the remarkable passage in Dr. Doddridge's Life of Colonel Gar- 
diner, in which the doctor alludes to an almost similar instance of divine 
visitation, occurring to "one of the brightest living ornaments of the 
church of England, and one of the most useful members, of which that, 
or perhaps any other Christian community can boast," belongs to Mr. 
Grimshaw, who was brought to the full enjoyment of the love and truth 
of God, by an incident no less surprising and remarkable." At page 
407., Mr. Middleton has given the Rev. VV. Romaine'"s opinion of 
Mr. Grimshaw, who, says " Mr. G. was the most laborious and inde- 
fatigable minister of Christ that ever I knew, and I believe one of the 
most so, that ever was in England, since the first preaching of the 
gospel." 

Q 



Q26 REV. W. GRIMSHAw's EXPERIENCE. 1746. 

I learned from Mr. Grimshaw that he is thirty-eight years 
of age, has been fifteen years in orders, and that he was ma- 
triculated at Cambridge, where he was sober and diligent the 
first two years, but, after that time, falling in with bad com- 
pany, he learned to drink, swear, &c. On his return home, 
rightly judging that his friends would think their money ill- 
bestowed, if they saw him an accomplished rake, he reform- 
ed, or rather concealed, his wickedness from them. He very 
soon had a good curacy, and for nine years was a ' blind 
leader of the blind/ About six years ago he fell under very 
lively, awakening, and even terrifying convictions : but by 
what means, either he did not tell me, or I have forgotten. 
Hereupon, * being ignorant of God's righteousness/ he went 
'about to establish his own.' He reformed greatly, practised 
the severest morals, said many prayers ; and, that he might 
leave nothing undone that he possibly could do, kept two 
diaries, in one of which, after daily, close self-examination, he 
particularly recorded the sins of every day; and when he had 
done so, he confessed them before God, begged for pardon, 
resolved, prayed, and watched against them. What conld 
any man, in his own strength, do more? Still, his 'heart 
knew its own bitterness ;' he was conscious of many sins 
that he had taken no cognizance of ; he groaned under the 
intolerable burden of ' a wounded spirit ;' and he was har- 
rassed and buffeted with grievous, unheard-of temptations. 
At last, meeting with Brook's Precious Remedies against 
Satan's Devices, and finding many of the cases there de- 
scribed to correspond exactly with his own, he was brought 
to the brink of despair, concluding himself to be Satan's easy 
prey, and that he should never be rescued out of his capti- 
vity. About this time, two of his parishioners attempted to 
destroy themselves, one by hanging himself, and the other by 
cutting his throat, but the lives of both were marvellously 
preserved : Mr. Grimshaw was sent for to the latter, and his 
first reflection thereon was—" Hah ! I don't know how soon 



/Et. 54. REV. W. GRIMSHAw's EXPERIENCE. 22? 

I mav do so too." Thus, for fifteen months, he groaned 
under a ' spirit of bondage/ ' wrestling' not only with his in- 
bred lusts, but likewise * against principalities, against pow- 
u-.' \c. in his own strength, and therefore getting no ground 
of either. At last, at a house of one of his friends, he provi- 
dentially lays his hand on a book, which, on opening, he 
iinds to be Dr. Owen, on Justification ; he borrows the 
book ; studies it well, becomes illuminated, hath ' a new 
heart' given him, and now — 'behold, he prayeth.' He is led 
into God's method of justifying the ungodly, and his Bible 
becomes a new book to him ; before this he knew it only in 
the letter, but now, he sees it in its spirituality ; yea, he told 
me, that had God drawn up his Bible to heaven, and sent 
him down another, it could not have been newer to him. 
He now, also, began to preach the gospel, to which, before, 
he was himself a stranger. About four years ago he removed 
to Ha worth, where he found the people as ignorant as the 
country is wild, but found them a ' willing' people, and the 
Lord soon began to own and bless his ministry to them. 

One Lord's-day morning,* I think, not long after Mr. 
Grimshaw came to Haworth, as he was reading the public 
service, he was seized with a dizziness, or swimming in his 
head, which prevailed to such a degree that lie found himself 
incapable of proceeding in the service ; whereupon he beckon- 
ed to a man who was near him, and desired to be helped out 
of the church, for he was very ill. Under some apprehen- 
sion that this seizure might issue in death,' he, all the way 
through the church and church-yard to the clerk's house, very 
earnestly exhorted the people — " to prepare to die ; to be al- 
ways ready ; to fly to Christ ; to abide in him ; to trust in him 
alone for salvation," &c. As soon as he was set down, in the 
room where he related this to me, he fell into a trance; the 
particulars of which he gave me, and I have since penned 

* September 2, 1744. 
O 2 



£28 REV. W. CRIMSHAw's EXPERIENCE. 1746. 

them down ; after more than an hour he rose up, found him- 
self perfectly well, and went through the remaining services 
of the day with great cheerfulness. Since this circumstance, 
his ministry has been remarkably blessed, so that he reckons 
at least six score souls to have been savingly renewed, and 
such an endless diversity he observes to have been in the 
Spirit's operations, that scarcely any two of them have been 
wrought upon in the same way ; and as soon as he has seen 
reason to conclude they are thoroughly converted, so as to 
be turned ' from the power of Satan unto God,' he forms them 
into religious societies of about ten or twelve in each ; the 
members of which frequently meet for mutual edification, 
and other purposes of religion. In each of these little so- 
cieties Mr. Grimshaw takes care that there shall be one man 
at least, who, to use his own words, hath received the gift of 
prayer, so that among the duties of religion exercised by 
them, such as reading, singing, and religious conference, prayer 
may always be one. It is also the same person's business to 
watch over this little flock, to mark the growth or decay of 
each individual, of which at proper times he gives an account 
to Mr. Grimshaw, that he may the better know how to speak 
a suitable word to them. He told me that many of his peo- 
ple had lately received the gift of prayer in a remarkable 
measure, to which, before he came among them, they were 
entire strangers. He reckons, if I remember rightly, about 
three hundred families in his parish, which, for the greater 
regularity in visiting them, he hath divided into four parts ; 
and he makes it a rule, never to be departed from, if he have 
sufficient strength and opportunity, to visit three families in 
each division every month. His way is, to fix upon one of 
the larger houses, and to invite thither two or three of the 
nearest families ; when they come together, after prayer, he 
gives them a serious exhortation, without taking a text, or 
confining himself to any particular method. In general, he 
puts them in mind of the depravity natural to mankind m 






JEt. 54. REV. W. GRIMSHAw's EXPERIENCE. 22Q 

consequence of Adam's apostacy ; the necessity of a tho- 
rough change to be wrought in them in order to their being 
made fit for the employment and blessedness of heaven ; that 
in order to obtain a new, a divine nature, they must go to 
God through Christ by faith and fervent prayer, and must 
practice self-denial and mortification ; must ' exercise' them- 
selves ' unto godliness,' and abound in all l the fruits of 
righteousness,' yet still relying solely on the merits and 
righteousness of Christ for pardon of sin and acceptance 
with God ; thus, but with a constant variety of expression, 
he preaches the gospel from house to house. Mr. Grim- 
shaw told me, that in the good work carried on in his parish, 
he hath had much assistance from two lay-men, the one a 
Scotchman, and an old disciple, the other a parishoner, con- 
verted, as he supposeth, by his own ministry ; these men ap- 
pearing to him to be suitably qualified, have, with his appro- 
bation, expounded scriptures, given exhortations, and prayed, 
in private houses, where numbers have, almost every day, re- 
sorted to their ministry : and he told me, more than once, 
with an air of pleasure, that he verily believed God had con- 
verted a considerable number, perhaps some scores, by them. 
The former of these holds particular election, the latter uni- 
versal redemption. u My business," said Mr. Grimshaw, 
" is to hold the balance as evenly as I can betwixt both, and 
to keep them from disputing. The doctrine of election, I 
think, belongs only, or chiefly, to the assured ; to them 
it must be a pleasant reflection to think — God hath from 
the beginning chosen me to salvation, &c. ; but I cannot 
imagine of what use it can be to preach this doctrine to the 
unconverted. My business is to invite all to come to Christ 
for salvation, and to assure all that will come of a hearty 
welcome." # 

* He died April 7, 17G3. The Editor cannot refrain from present- 
ing the reader with what he deems an appropriate close to this article. 
It is extracted from the work already mentioned in the note, at page 225, 

Q 3 



230 HIS OPINION OF THE STATE OF RELIGION. 1746, 

HIS OPINION OF THE STATE OF RELIGION : AND 
HIS nephew's SPIRITUAL CONDITION. 

To Mrs. Richards. 

Kidderminster, March 15, 1?46. 

DEAR SISTER, 

This being Saturday evening, I have beeii repeating to a 
room full of serious hearers, the substance of two sermons 

by that eminent servant of Christ, the late Rev. John Newton, Rector 
of St, Mary Woolnoth i— 

" The last time I was with Mr. Grirnshaw, as we were standing to- 
gether upon a hill, near Haworth, and surveying the romantic prospect 
around us, he expressed himself to the following purport, and I "believe 
I nearly retain his very words, for they made a deep impression upon 
rrie while he spoke. — " When I first came into this country, if I have 
gone half a day's journey on horseback towards the east, west, north, and 
south, I could not meet with or hear of one truly serious person : and 
now, through the blessing of God upon the poor services of the most 
unworthy of his ministers, besides a considerable number whom I have 
seen or known to have departed this life like Simeon, rejoicing in the 
Lord's salvation; and. besides five dissenting-churches or congregations, 
of which the ministers and nearly every one of the members were first 
awakened under my ministry ; I have still at my sacraments, according 
to the weather, from three hundred to five hundred communicants, of 
the far greater part of whom, so far as man who cannot see the heart 
(and can, therefore, only determine by appearances, profession, and con- 
duct) may judge, I can give almost as particular an account as I can of 
myself. I know the state of their progress in religion. By my frequent 
visits and converse with them, I am acquainted with their several temp- 
tations, trials, and exercises, both personal and domestic, both spiritual 
and temporal, almost as intimately as if I had lived in their families." 
" A stranger," continues Mr. N. " who had stood upon the same spot, 
from whence he could see little but barren mountains and moors, would 
scarcely think this declaration credible. But I knew the man well, 
and ofall the men I ever knew, lean think of no one who was less to 
be suspected of boasting than Mr. Grimshaw. I could not omit this 
recital, though it may seem lo confirm an objection that is frequently 
made against those rhinisters of the establishment, whom the world is 
pleased to brand with the stigma of Methodism. It is said that we, 



JE/. 54. HIS OPINION OF THE STATE OP RELIGION. 231 

preached by good Mr. Spilsbury, almost thirty years ago, 
on the words — ' Sir, we would see Jesus.' There seemed to 
be some lively emotions and workings of desire among the 
hearers ; and I wish I could impart to you what I felt in my 
own soul, while I was reading what I had before me, but 
to which I could not forbear adding, now and then, a senti- 
ment warm from my own heart. I greatly enjoy these sea- 
sons of preparation for the approaching sabbath. From 
April, 1742, when Mr. Bradshaw was laid aside, till March 
1745, when Mr. Fawcett was given to us, sabbaths, which 
used to be my most delicious seasons, were really, for the 
most part, burdensome to me. I mean those parts of the day 
which were spent in public worship. We were fed with 
chaff instead of wheat, and with much better reason than the 
children of Israel said of the manna, I was often saying — 
My soul loalhs this light food. The apostle Paul, who well 
knew, saith •' Christ is all and in all ;' but, we did not have 
him even alluded to in most of the sermons of those three 
years. Blessed be God, who hath given us, in answer to a 
thousand fervent prayers, l a man after his own heart,' by 
whom we are now i fed with knowledge and understanding ;' 
while, alas ! in most of the dissenting churches around us, 

especially if placed in the country, whatever we profess or pretend, dq 
but in reality promote and extend the dissenting interest : that when a 
clergyman of thi6 description dies, unless he is succeeded by one of the 
iame stamp, his people presently build a meeting-house, and wholly for- 
ake their favourite church. The truth is, when the minister preaches 
Agreeably to t-he tenor of the liturgy and articles, which we consider &s 
tie standard and bulwark of the establishment ; and if his life and con- 
versation be agreeable to the rules of the gospel, he seldom labours ia 
viin." page 100—3. " I believe the number of those who remained ia 
communion with Mr. Grimshaw to the end of his life, was much greater 
tiah those who withdrew from him; with regard to the latter, the most 
tlat can be said against him (if it be indeed against him) i9, that he 
&und them little better than heathens, and left them evangelical dis- 
senters." page 107. 



232 his nephew's spiritual condition. 1746. 
the people are now perishing * for lack of knowledge/ In 
this declining state of religion, it has been the joy of my 
heart to see the Lord choosing instruments out of the church 
of England (a church which has been more than eighty years 
sadly degenerated), and forming them for eminent usefulness; 
so that I think ill my conscience the Lord hath brought 
home to himself, for, seven years past, more souls by a few 
hands selected out of that church, than by the body of dis- 
senters of all denominations. I hope nobody that knows 
my education and profession will suspect this sentiment to 
be the effect of prejudice, bigotry, orpartiaiity. To me it is 
evident, and I behold it with joy, that God hath given an 
uncommon measure of the Spirit to Mr.YVhitefield, whom I 
must name first,* Messrs. Wesley, and many others, their 
' fellow-helpers' in the Lord. I am not insensible to their 
differences in opinion concerning some points, which I do 
not esteem to be fundamental articles of the Christian faith. 
God is certainly with both one and the others of them ; they 
all hold the Head; they preach salvation by a crucified Jesus 
with one consent. 

I will now 7 , my dear sister, inform you what God is doing 
for our dear nephew Watson ; and I do not think it an em- 
ployment unfit for the Lord's-day, having been prevented 
from proceeding with my letter last night. I must, how- 
ever, premise, that every day my heart is kept warm with 
the sense of Christ's love. I go to him with humble confi- 
dence, as to a Friend ; yea, infinitely my best friend ; at the 
same time, I humbly adore him as my Sovereign. More 
than once he hath gratified me, to my joyful surprise, with 
the very mercy I have begged of him, even while I have beer 
asking it; an instance of which you shall presently have: 
should I not, therefore, love him and trust him, the Veif 
walls of my 'compting-house would cry out against me. Ii 



* See March 31, 1750. 



JEt.b\. HIS NEPHEWS SPIRITUAL CONDITION. Q3$ 

that place, a week since on Wednesday last, having returned 
at eight o'clock from our evening of prayer, I found our ne- 
phew reading in a pensive posture, and with a dejected 
countenance, On my coming in he rose, but lingered at the 
door as if he were unwilling to go away, or wished to speak 
to me ; but not a word passed. However, after I had been 
there in retirement about a quarter of an hour, he knocked 
gently at the door, and on my opening it, sprang in, evi- 
dently trembling, and wiping his eyes, with every mark of 
being in distress. On my asking him very tenderly, what 
was the matter, he burst into a passion of weeping and sob- 
bing, and for some time could not speak. 1 waited for his 
words, for I found he was in the case of the good Shuna- 
mi;e when he held Elisha by the feet. At last, came out in 
broken accents — " What shall 1 do to get an interest in 
Christ:" I spent an hour with him in conversation and 
prayer, while Hoods of tears gushed from his eyes, and many 
an interjection from his heart. After this, I sent him to his 
closet, with Clarke's book on the Promises in his hand, hav- 
ing previously set a mark against a collection of promises of 
converting grace, Sec. I advised him to plead them before 
the Throne, confidently assuring him that if he did so, and 
would persevere, "' asking,' e seeking, 5 ' knocking,' he should 
1 receive' and ' find,' and the door should certainly be ( open- 
ed' to him. From that time I heard nothing from him on 
this subject, till this morning. 1 had called him and the 
rest of the young ones up at six, advising them to redeem 
an hour for secret devotion, and on going into my private 
room found a note laid in my way, which exceedingly affect- 
ed me, and though I had before been pouring out my soul 
to God in Christ, it brought me on my knees again and 
asain. The contents are as follow: — - 



a 



DEAR SIR, 

" I cannot help letting you know by these few lines, how 
little my soul is made sensible of sin. I know I am a sinner, 






234 THE DOUBTING CHRISTIAN COMFORTED. 1746. 

but I cannot feel it. Nay, my heart is so dreadfully hard 
I cannot pr t -. I go on my knees, and conduct myself as 
though it were a God of inflexible justice I was speaking 
to ; as if my soul were not in the least danger of eternally 
perishing ; and if I cannot pray, how can I expect mercy ? 
Oh ! that I could in the anguish of my spirit cry out — i What 
must I do to be saved :' Would to God this may fall into your 
hands at a time when your soul is filled with the sensible tokens 
of the love of Christ ; then, dear sir, as you know the dreadful 
condition of being out of Christ, plead at l the throne of 
grace' earnestly on my account. I know he will hear the 
prayers of his saints, if they be agreeable to bis will. Pray 
hard, give the Lord no rest on my account, for 1 am dread- 
fully afraid that he will reject all your petitions for me ; but, 
if he should, you will not lose ' your labour of love,' though 
it will greatly heighten my condemnation. I hope you will 
excuse this freedom, and pray that I may see my sins, both 
original and actual, that I may have a soft heart to feel my 
undone condition without an interest in Christ, and that I 
may have faith to believe in his all-sufficiency." 

JS~ow, is not this a comfortable sign that he is' really pos- 
sessed of that sensibility of sin and tenderness of heart he is 
lamenting the want of ? ' Blessed are they who' thus i mourn, 
for they shall be comforted.' My dear sister, I commend you 
and my brother, to the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, earn- 
estly praying that you may be as* a well ' watered garden,' and 
that he would meet you in all your approaches to him, and 
make you full of joy from the light of his countenance; and 
believe me to be, your affectionate brother, J. W. 

THE DOUBTING CHRISTIAN COMFORTED, 
To his nephew Watson. 

Sarum, -April 15, 1/46. 

DEAR COUSIN, ' l ' 

I thank you for your freedom in laying before me the 
thoughts of your heart. Certainly, I should rejoice to hear 



Ml.b\. THE DOUBTING CHRISTIAN COMFORTED. Q%D 

that the Lord had spoken peace to your soul, and assured 
you of your interest in his everlasting love. Yet, I must tell 
you, I am not sorry, nay I rejoice, to hear you are lamenting 
after him. No doubt you want to be an established Chris- 
tian at once, and to ' walk in the light of God's countenance/ 
It is a laudable ambition ; but, perhaps, infinite Wisdom sees 
you are not yet fit for such a state. So the apostle Paul 
would fain have been rid of his 'thorn in the flesh ;' but then, 
probably, he would not have been so humble, nor have 
prayed so much, or so earnestly : therefore, the Lord said 
to him — ' My grace is sufficient for thee;' that is, thou shalt 
not be overcome by the temptation, but it is good for thee to 
be farther exercised therewith. So in your case, — the power 
and grace of Christ, it is plain, are not withheld from you. 
Else, why these lamentations after the Lord ? It is an evi- 
dence you thirst for grace. Why do you mourn over the 
hardness of your heart ? Surely, there is some degree of 
tenderness. Do not think your prayers denied, only for 
want of ' peace and joy in believing,' or, that you cannot 
'rejoice in hope of the glory of God/ The apostle did not 
think his prayers denied, while sufficient grace was afforded. 
Let the Lord work his own work in his own way. Rejoice 
that he hath ' not taken his Holy Spirit from you/ The 
longer you are held in this soul-humbling state, the stronger 
may your comforts be in due time, the clearer your evidences, 
and your thankfulness raised to a higher pitch : — 

These threat'ning trials, fears, and dangers past, 
Your soul, with full salvation crown'd at last, 
More clearly may its countless value know, 
And to the Saviour endless praises owe. 

Go on asking, seeking, knocking, and depend upon it, for 
they are Christ's own words — 'Every one that asketh, re- 
ceived! ; and he that seeketh, findeth ; and to him that knock- 






236 COUNSEL TO THE DESPONDING. 1746, 

eth, it shall be opened/ You may assure yourself of an in- 
terest in the daily prayers of, dear cousin, your Stc. 

J. w. 

COUNSEL TO THE DESPONDING. 

To his daughter Hanbury. 

Church-street, August 18, 1746. 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

In whom ■ I travail/ and wrestle, and importune continu- 
ally to see Christ Jesus i formed ;' =and concerning whom I 
have more than once received a comfortable pledge, that 
' the Lord hath heard the voice of my supplications ;' oh ! 
that you were filled 'with the love of Christ. None that 
hath not tasted, that hath not drank -deeply of his love, will 
believe, or can imagine the freeness of that grace, with which 
•he indulges those who cast themselves entirely, absolutely, 
into the fulness of his all-sufficiency ; and who, quitting all 
self-confidence, and all despondency arising from a sense of 
their past ingratitude, inconstancy, and unprofitableness, ven- 
ture to plunge into that immense ocean, relying fearlessly 
upon his truth and faithfulness. You are distressing yourself 
with fears and jealousies that you are not in Christ; that 
your repentance and faith are not sincere ; and, therefore, 
that you have no right to approach his table to partake of 
the memorials of his death— the pledges of his everlasting 
love ; the seal of the new covenant in his blood. It is well : 
it is well, I say, that you have such fears. A thousand times bet- 
ter so, than if you had no fear, no concern about these things : 
but, would it not be better still to triumph over those fears, 
and to have a well-grounded hope ? " This," you will say, 
fl is the very thing I want ! how shall I attain to it ?" Not by 
dwelling upon the badness of your state ; not by examining 
your past conduct, in order to discern whether you have been 
sincere in time past, or not ; though these things are good, 



JF.t. 54. COUNSEL TO THE DESPONDING. 237 

and useful in their places. Are you labouring, and heavily 
laden with«ins, with fears, with unbelief? Does your soul 
desire rest ? Has not Christ a bosom on which weary souls 
may repose ? Has he not directed you to ' come' to him for 
'rest;' and promised, himself, to give you rest if you will 
come to him ? And can everlasting Truth fail ? Your soul 
is not at rest in Christ because you have not 'come' to him : 
you have seen somewhat of his beauty ; felt somewhat of the 
attractive influence of his goodness and grace ; and have 
thought — how happy you should be if you were interested 
in him, and could obtain an infallible evidence thereof: — but 
all this is not coming to him ; though I confess it is a useful 
and necessary preparative thereto. 

Come then, at last, my dear child, i come' to Christ Jesus, 
that friend of sinners, that compassionate lover of souls, and 
he will receive you with open arms. May I not say to you, 
as the people did to blind Bartimeus? — ' Be of good com- 
fort, rise ; he calleth thee.' Are you still looking for some- 
thing in yourself, some qualifications to recommend you to 
his mercy and love ? There needs no other, he expects no 
other qualification than a sense of your need, and of his suit- 
ableness to ' supply all your need.' Let me illustrate this 
case by a similitude taken from yourself. I know you have 
the heart of a parent. Let me ask you now — ' Can' you 
'forget' your 'sucking child?' Can you forget the son of 
your womb ? What is it that recommends him to your love, 
a love mixed with the tenderest compassion ? Is it any par- 
ticular qualification in the child? Must it needs be in a 
healthful state, or else you cannot love it ? Does not your 
sense of its weak, helpless state greatly recommend it to 
your compassionate and affectionate regard? And is it not 
just so in the present case ? Has not Christ the heart of a 
father, and declared — 'Him that cometh to me I will in no 
wise cast out ?' Whatever, then, be your present state 
whatever your want, Christ is that to the coming, believing 



£38 EXAMINATION BEFORE THE LORD'S SUPPER. 1746. 
soul, and he will do for you ''exceeding abundantly above all 
that you can ask or think !' If I can make a little time in 
the evening, I intend to wait on you, and converse with you; 
if not, give me an opportunity to-morrow ; for I assure you 
that the salvation of my children lies much upon my heart, 
nor can any thing afford greater joy to your truly affection- 
ate father, 

J W. 



SELF-EXAMINATION BEFORE THE LORD S SUPPER, 

Friday night, September 5, 1746. The minister, Mr, 
Fawcett, hath given us a preparation sermon on these words 
— c Lord, is it I ?' May I learn, from the example of the 
disciples of my Lord, to be cautious and fearful of judging 
others; to be jealous over myself; and in all my self Ridg- 
ing to appeal to Christ, as the discerner of my heart, and the 
judge of my integrity. O my soul, how sad will my state be 
hereafter, how shocking and dreadful my disappointment, 
after all the profession I have made, and the glorious hopes 
I have entertained, should I at last be found a hypocrite . ? 
I doubt not, I am esteemed a sincere convert, a true believer, 
by numbers of my fellow- Chris dans. I am sensible my wife, 
my children, my most intimate friends esteem me such. ' So 
probably did his fellow-disciples esteem Judas. It should 
seem that every one of the eleven was more ready to sus- 
pect himself than the real traitor. They did not ask — Lord, 
is it this man f but on the contrary — ' Lord, is it I V It was 
Christ alone, the ' discerner of the thoughts and intents of 
the heart/ who could discern the hypocrite. What will the 
good opinion of fellow-Christians avail me, in the great de- 
cisive day, if Christ, the sovereign Judge, should condemn 
nie ? What confusion must cover me in that awful hour, if 
he, who is the faithful and true witness, domot testify for me? 
If I only wear religion as a mask, to cover carnal views aud 
sinister ends, the time is certainly coming, when the mask 



JEt.5A. EXAMINATION BEFORE THE LORD'S SUPPER. 239 
will fall off, and then, what is my hope ? ' Shall not my hope 
be cut off, and my trust be a spider's webr' How terrible 
would it be, after I ' have eaten and drunk in his presence' 
so often, to hear him profess, ' he never knew me r' How 
could I bear to hear him say — 'Depart T But, for ever 
' blessed be the God and Father of my Lord Jesus, who 
hath begotten me again/ and, through whose adorable grace, 
I am ' born again, through sanctification of the Spirit unto 
obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ/ and 
raised unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 
from the dead. Oh ! the glorious hope, to which my God and 
Father hath begotten me again. This is the life of my life, 
the health of my health, the riches of my riches. What would 
all this world, my near and dear relations, health and prospe- 
rity, be to me without this ? They are all loseable, perishing 
things, and I must die and leave them all behind me; but this 
I shall never lose. Or, should my hope, as to the lively ex- 
ercise of it, be clouded and intermitted for a season ; yet, the 
thing hoped for shall never be lost. It is an ' inheritance/ 
to which the ' heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ/ have 
a just claim. It is ' incorruptible, and undefiled, and that 
fadeth not away/ It is ' reserved in heaven for me/ and I 
1 am kept by the power of God through faith unto' that ' sal- 
vation.' Of this I have satisfying evidences, not so muck 
taken from what I have done for God, as zchat God hath 
done for me. He hath given unto me to hate sin, to love ho- 
liness, and to love God above all. He hath given me repent- 
ance for all and every sin. He hath given me to see myself 
1 poor and blind/ guilty and undone, without a Saviour ; to see 
Christ as suitable and all-sufficient, and humble faith in him 
as my righteousness; even Jesus as my all. He hath given 
me to see myself ' complete in Christ/ worthy through his, 
worthiness, righteous through his righteousness, and l strong' 
only ' in the power of his might.' Adored be his victorious, 
distinguishing grace. Hallelujah ! 



240 COMFORT LAID UP FOR FUTURE TRIALS. 174?. 
COMFORT LAID UP FOR FUTURE TRIALS. 

To his daughter Hanbury. 

Chorley, February 17, 1747. 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

It hath long been matter of my warmest desire and most 
earnest prayer, that all mine may be the Lord's : and now, 
' I have no greater joy, than to see my children walking in 
the truth.' I have long entertained hopes of you and your 
sisters, that I have not in vain prayed and laboured, and, as 
it were, ' travailed in birth again, until Christ' be ' formed in 
you.' Oh! that parents and children may be all ripening 
apace for God and glory. As for you, my dear, who are in 
a married state, let me remind you to be expecting ' trouble 
in the flesh/ The more you expect it, the better you will 
be prepared for it, and the more easily will it be borne, and 
prove the more advantageous to your best interests. You 
have been made to ' ~ear the yoke in your youth,' by afflic- 
tions in your own person, which 'for the present were not 
joyous, but grievous.' Expect a return of these. They 
will not come the sooner. Your children have been ' chas- 
tened sore,' though ' not given over unto death.' Expect to 
see them 'taken away with a -stroke.' Realize to yourself 
such a trial. Your husband, to whom God hath given sound 
health, may leave you a widow, and your children father- 
less.* Your father and mother may be gone too, or may be 
utterly incapable of comforting you. I suggest not these 
things to distress you, or to abate your present comforts. 
No ; my desire and aim is, tlxat you may have growing com- 
fort ; and that, in every stage and state of life. Therefore, 
take up your 'portion' in God. Fetch all your joys from 
your covenant-relation to God through Jesus Christ. God is 
a fountain that never fails, even when creature-cisterns are 
dried up. Look on your children as lent, rather than given. 

* Mr, Hanbury died in less than $eve?isy ears after this. 



&t.o5. COMFORT LAID UP FOR FUTURE TRIALS. 241 

Consider who is the proprietor : and may he not * do what he 
will with his own f ' Be willing, then, since his glory is con- 
cerned in it, that he shall ' do with yon/ with your husband, 
with your children, ' what seemeth him good.' The more 
you depend on him for comfort, and draw your comforts 
from him, the more you will find, that outward changes can- 
not deprive you of your ' joy.' David could fetch comfort 
from the covenant, when one of his sons had been guilty of 
incest, another, of murder and rebellion, and a third, of trea- 
son. Habakkuk could c rejoice in the Lord/ and i joy in 
the God of his salvation/ when creature-comforts were en- 
tirely ' cut off.' God is the same now as then. l The Cre- 
ator of the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither is weary.' 
We are never duly prepared for trials, till we are willing to 
let go those enjoyments which God may call for, whether 
health, substance, children, husband, Sec. Nor can we wil- 
lingly quit this mortal life, till we are assured of immortality; 
nor part with present enjoyments, till we are assured of bet- 
ter in reversion. There is enough in a covenant God, enough 
in the love of Christ, to raise us superior to every changing 
scene of life ; to keep us humble and heavenly-minded in 
prosperity ; and to make us patient and cheerful in adversity. 
Jesus is a precious name. To be able to call him, my Jesus, 
' my Lord and my God/ my ' all in all/ is more than to have 
the whole treasures of the Indies : It is more than to have 
an army for our guard, or a legion of angels for our convoy : 
It is more than to have all the birds of music serenade us at 
our window every morning ; and a band of musicians in most 
enchanting concert, to attend us all the day. Why may not 
all this treasure, strength, honour, pleasure, be yours ? Jesus 
is a sea of love. As the sea spreads itself to receive all, that 
from every coast shall venture to launch forth, and finds room 
enough, and to spare, for every one ; so does the blessed 
Jesus, with open arms, receive and embrace every soul, that 
with humble confidence rests upon his promise and all-suf- 

R 



242 PROMOTING PIETY IN A SON-IN-LAW. I&tf. 

ficiency. To his blessing I commend you and all yours* 
May the grace of 'the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spi- 
rit/ May i the good-will of him that dwelt in the bush/ and 
the love of him that hung on the cross, be ever towards you. 
So prays your truly affectionate parent, J. W. 

PROMOTING PIETY IN A SON-IN-LAW. 

To Mr. Josiak Hanbury. 

Chorley, February 17, 1747^ 

BEAR JOS I AH, 

As you stand in the relation of a son, and are become 
bone of her bones, and flesh of her flesh, who ' is bone of 
wry bones, and flesh of my flesh/ I find and feel my heart 
and affection drawn out towards you, and tenderly con- 
cerned for your interests ; especially, for your spiritual pros- 
perity. For this, my soul hath been poured out in earnest 
intercessions many a time, more particularly of late, both 
before I began this journey and since. I have seen reason 
to hope, that you attend with seriousness to the most im- 
portant truths ; and would hope* that you have experienced 
what it is to be ' a new creature/ to ' be born again/ to 
have ' old things passed away, and all things become new. 5 
Nevertheless, as this is a most important point, the very 
binge on which your salvation turns, since without it a man 
1 cannot see the kingdom of G od/ allow me to ask — What 
evidences you have that this change hath indeed passed up- 
on you? As there are but two states which divide the 
world of mankind in eternity, reason tells us that the^e 
must be a wide difference in the characters of one and the 
other here in time. They who are ' made meet for the 
inheritance of the saints in light/ will never be thrust out of 
it ; as, on the other hand, the unmeet for heavenly society 
and employment will never be admitted. The chief meek- 
ness for heaven is love to God and Christ. We do not 
tave God at all, if we love him not more than all. ' If any 



Mt. 55. PROMOTING PIETY IN A SON-IN-LAW. ■, 243 

man,' says Christ, l cometh to me, and hateth not father j 
mother, wife, children, house, lands, yea and his own life 
also, he cannot be my disciple/ The meaning is, that we 
must prize an interest in Christ above all the world, and be 
willing to let all go, rather than by sin lose the Saviour. It 
is a great thing to love God and Christ in this high degree. 
The ways of holiness are irksome to corrupt nature ; and 
though the unconverted may shew some regard to God and 
his ways, yet this is the language of their hearts — [ Behold, 
what a weariness is it !' It may be difficult to determine, 
whether you love God and Christ above all, which was my 
own case for many years ; yet, you may certainly know, whe- 
ther any remarkable change hath ever passed on your temper 
of mind ; whether at some particular seasons you have 
been filled with concern for your soul, and with distressing 
fears lest you should perish for ever; whether you have 
sometimes had such a sight of the emptiness of all creature- 
enjoyments, that you would have given all the world to 
obtain the favour of God and an interest in Christ; and 
whether you have been made to prize the gospel, as the 
means for securing your eternal salvation. You may know, 
whether you have been convinced of the sinfulness of your 
heart and life, so as to ' abhor yourself, and repent in dust 
and ashes ;' whether you have also seen your absolute need 
of a Saviour, the all-sufficiency of Christ, the freeness of his 
love and grace, and his readiness to receive and embrace 
every returning sinner ; and whether, as a sinner, you have 
been enabled to trust the promises of the gospel. You 
may know, 'whether you have been grieved for your former, 
as well as latter sins, and particularly for your ingratitude to 
Christ ; and have been determined for new and better obe- 
dience. I am not ignorant of the modesty of your temper. 
If you cannot talk with me, you may write to me. Be not 
discouraged. l Is there no balm iaGilead? Is there no 
physician there V Believe this freedom to proceed from the 

k <2 



4244 CHRIST WITH THEM THAT MEET/ &C. 1747 » 

abundant love and tender concern for your everlasting hap- 
piness, of your affectionate father, J. W. 

CHRIST WITH THEM THAT MEET IN HIS NAME. 

Saturday night, February 28, 1747. Our Lord says — 
* Where two or three are gathered together in my name, 
there am I in the midst of them.' Surely, there is more im- 
plied in these words, in my name, than I have hitherto con- 
ceived. Many will meet to-morrow in places of w r orship, 
but, will they all meet in the name of Christ ? Will they all 
enjoy his presence? Scripture is its own best expositor ;—< Je- 
rusalem' is called ' the city which the Lord did choose, to put 
Ids name there ;' that is, where he would be worshipped. 
Elijah said to Baal's prophets — i Call ye on the name of you* 
gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord/ The Psalmist 
says — ' The name of the God of Jacob defend thee.' He 
also says — ' In the name of our God we will set up our. ban- 
ners/ The prophet Micah observes — ' All people will walk 
every one in the name of his God ;' and concludes, * We will 
walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever/ 
Here, are implied, worship, obedience, and trust. So, ( bap- 
tizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost,' is a covenant transaction, implying dedication, 
worship and allegiance to the Sacred Three. When our Lord 
says — e I ,am come iii my Father's name 1 — ' The works that 
I do in my Father's name :' When Peter said — * In the name 
of Jesus Christ rise up and walk* — * There is none other 
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be 
saved'—' Signs and wonders done in the name of Jesus'- — 
r Paul spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus :' such pas- 
sages must imply, that they who ' are gathered together in the 
name of Christ,' believe that Christ regards their worship. They 
believe that Christ is able to give the mercies they pray for. 
They not only believe him able, but willing also, to grant 
their requests : ( for all the promises of God in Christ are 



JEt.hb. A REVIEW OF GOD'S DEALINGS WITH HIM. 245 

yea, and in him amen/ To meet in his name implies, that 
they are gathered together in the love of Christ. They cul- 
tivate, cherish, and exercise love to him, and desire to be like 
him in every attainable degreee. It also implies, that they 'put 
on Christ.' The Apostle says — ' As many of you as have 
been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.' And he ex^ 
horts — ' Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.' If we ' put on 
Christ,' we do by faith apply him to our souls with all his me- 
rits. Again, it implies, not only that we have done so in 
some former instances, but that we do it in the present act of 
worship. If a servant be sent to ask or buy somethisg in his 
master's name, the person he treats with, does not so much 
consider the character of the servant, as that of his master, 
and being satisfied he is such a one's servant, gives or sells 
according to the regard he hath for the master ; for he corn 
siders the servant as vested with the master's character. So 
here, if I ' ask in' Christ's ' name,' I must l put on Christ.' 
I must believe his righteousness mine, his obedience mine, 
and the virtue of his sufferings and atoning sacrifice to be 
mine : — for me he was born, was circumcised, fulfilled all 
righteousness, was made sin ; that is, he stood in the place 
of me a sinner, for me he suffered and died, for me he bore 
the wrath of God, and made full satisfaction to the justice of 
God. It does not hence follow, that I, in Christ, did 
and suffered these things : but, it wiH follow, that I share 
in the atonement Christ made for sin by his meritorious 
sufferings and sacrifice, and am interested in all the bless- 
ings of his purchase. 

A REVIEW OF GOD'S DEALINGS WITH HIM. 

To the Rev. R. PearsalL 

Kidderminster, 1747. 

My dear and much honoured Brother, 
I think I do esteem it a greater honour to be a 'worker to- 
gether' with God, in bringing home precious souls, who are 

n 3 



<i 



246 A REVIEW OF GOD's DEALINGS WITH HIM. 1/47. 

as sheep going astray, to their great Shepherd and Bishop, 
than to be the king's son-in-law. This is an honour the Lord 
has not altogether denied me. Though I cannot say — he has 
made me the instrument of converting one soul, I trust he 
has made my poor endeavours some way serviceable, in con- 
nection with more excellent labours, towards the conversion 
of seven young ones in my own family, within these few 
years. I have the joy to see all my children walking, I trust, 
in the truth; and to see e servants/ which l serve the Lord Christ/ 
But, alas ! I have been a very unprofitable servant. Many 
talents have been put into my hands for improvement, and 
still more and more talents, and yet I have not a heart nor 
zeal to improve them as I ought. I am sensible many blame 
my too great forwardness, my too much zeal about the affairs 
of religion : but my own conscience tells me it is too little, 
and that I am too apt to hide my talent ' in a napkin.' O 
pray for me, that God would show me what he would have 
me to do, and give me courage, resolution and unwearied 
diligence to do it : and yet, to the praise of his rich, free, glo- 
rious grace, be it spoken, he is exceedingly kind and graci- 
ous, and ever indulgent to me. I may truly say, as you do 
— " I know none he has bestowed greater favours upon, and 
I know none that hath slighted them more than myself." 

To look over the various scenes of his providence, and the 
methods of his grace, for forty years past, towards a poor, 
worthless, sinful worm, is quite amazing, and shows me to 
myself a monster of ingratitude. What a gay, giddy, un- 
thinking creature was I ! prone to all manner of vanity, and 
averse to every thing of a serious, religious nature ; though I 
had a religious education, and had religious principles early 
and diligently instilled into me. But how rich and adorable 
was that grace, which saw me labouring to break asunder 
the bonds of education, and 'making provision for the flesh 
to fill the lusts thereof ;' saw me, and pitied me ; and, some- 
times by a threatening providence: sometimes by a seasonable 



JEt. 55. A REVIEW OF GOD'S DEALINGS WITH HTM. 247 

word of counsel, caution, or reproof, from a pious parent or 
friend ; sometimes by a rousing sermon ; at other times, by 
the reasonings and reflections of my own mind, when soli- 
tary ; and, once or twice, by a reproof from a play-fellow, 
much more wicked than myself, who would ask me — Whe- 
ther my father (who was a remarkably grave and pious man) 
taught me this or that, which he either saw or heard in me ? 
I say, by these, and a much greater variety of methods, the 
Lord often checked, controuled, restrained, my eager career 
in sin and vanity ; and made me think seriously of my immor- 
tal interests and everlasting concerns. Well do I remember 
the times and places, when taking a solitary walk, almost 
forty years ago, and conversing with myself about present 
and future things, I had such an affecting sense given me of 
the emptiness and insufficiency of all created comforts, and 
the vast importance of invisible realities, that it swallowed up 
all my thoughts, even all my soul ; made me for the present, 
quite dead to every thing here below ; fixed my resolution, 
whatever became of me here, to make the immortal ' crown' 
the object of my main pursuit ; and caused me one time un- 
der a rick, another time behind a buttress of the steeple, or 
under abtish, or in the corner of a hedge, to pour out my soul, 
-with strong cries and floods of tears, to Him ' who seeth in 
secret/ that he would save me from the sins and follies of giddy 
youth, draw me to Christ, and give me an ' inheritance among 
them that are sanctified,' through faith that is in Christ Jesus. 
W T ell I remember the morning (it was a Lord's-day morn- 
ing) some time after this, when awaking pretty early in sum- 
mer time, and reflecting with bitterness on my inconstancy 
in religion, and the unevenness of my walk, it was strongly 
and suddenly impressed on my mind, to rise and put the 
grand,important concern out of doubt. Accordingly, I arose, 
4 my heart was hot within me :' all the while I was dressing, 
J resolved to be the Lord's ; I bowed my knees before the 

B4 



248 A REVIEW OF GOD's DEALINGS WITH HIM. 1747. 
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and made a so- 
lemn dedication of myself, soul and body, with all that I have 
and am, to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; and beg- 
ged his divine aid to confirm my resolution. I rose from my 
knees, made a new book, and wrote down, as the Lord was 
pleased to enable me, my solemn covenant with God, my re- 
nunciation of every sin and lust, the dedication of myself to 
his service, and resolution, through grace, to be the Lord's on 
his own terms. I then determined to call myself to an ac- 
count every evening, how the several parts of the day had 
been spent, and the several duties of it performed, and to re- 
cord what observations I made. Thenceforward, I was 
filled with such a reverential awe of the Divine Majesty, 
as in secret prayer swallowed up all my thoughts ; so that I 
have hardly been conscious of a wandering thought, while I 
have been praying a quarter of an hour or more. Thus, did 
my gracious God and Father restrain and guide my giddy 
youth : and, whereas I felt but little, comparatively, of my ab- 
solute need of a Saviour, but trusted too much in my early 
piety, and the sensible and visible change in my heart and 
life, the goodness of my frame, &c. he took occasion by de- 
grees, from my many falls and backslidings, to lead me to 
Christ, and to trust in him alone for salvation, and every 
thing preparatory to it. 

My hopes and fears after this, prevailed by turns for many- 
years, though generally hope had the ascendancy. For, now 
and then, the Lord was pleased to lift up the light of his 
countenance upon me, and to give me peace and joy in 
believing; and one time, about the year 1718, this con- 
tinued with little interruption, for the space of a month 
or more. One Lord's-day afternoon, April 23, 1721, 
after the second meeting, having been reading in a very 
searching book, a Treatise of the Affections, by Mr. 
Fenner, I was led to a close examination of myself. 
I was willing to be tried to the bottom ; but the more 



sEi. oh. A REVIEW OF GOD's DEALINGS WITH HIM. 249 

I compared my heart and life with the rules laid down, 
and the more I drew conclusions, the more reason I saw to 
fear I was but an i almost' Christian. I went on, neverthe- 
less ; at last, my conscience convinced me that I was but 
a hypocrite ; and I was filled with dreadful fears, that all 
I had done in religion had heen done in hypocrisy, and that 
all my comforts had been delusions of Satan. I had uow 
been a communicant for thirteen years ; and I concluded, if, 
after all, I had been a hypocrite, a hypocrite 1 should live and 
die. Oh ! what a consternation did it put me into : ' my flesh 
trembled for fear of God, and I was afraid of his judgments.' 
Having occasion to come down stairs, walking through the 
kitchen, my dear and pious wife, when I returned, observing 
my countenance changed, followed me into the place of my 
retirement, and with pensive looks — " My dear," she asked, 
w what is the matter?" My heart was so swollen with grief 
and anxiety, I could not answer a word, but to beg of her to 
leave me to myself. She was not to be so put off, but, in 
the most endearing, yet pressing manner, urged me to tell 
her what was my grief? My heart was ready to burst. I 
would fain have been excused from publishing, even to her, 
my shame : but, when she would by no means be satisfied 
without knowing what had altered me so, I gave vent to my 
sorrow, and owned to her — I was afraid I was a. hypocrite. 
She, poor heart, thereupon said all she could to comfort me; 
told me of many good marks of sincerity she had observed 
in me, and some even of late : but it was all nothing to me; 
* the heart knoweth its own bitterness :' and, with a heavy 
heart, I went at five o'clock to the last meeting. Good Mr, 
Spilsbury, who has been in heaven these twenty years, used 
to expound some portion of scripture in the evening. He 
knew not of my case, but the Lord had directed him to a 
passage, the most suitable of any in the whole book of God, 
He expounded the last verses of the 57th chap, of Isaiah, 
While he was reading the first verse— l For the iniquity of his 



250 A REVIEW OF GOD'S DEALINGS WITH HIM. 1747. 

covetousness, I was wroth, and smote him ; I hid me, and 
was wroth ; and he went on frowardly in the way of his 
heart :' oh ! thought I, this is for me : this is my very case. 
He went on — ' I have seen his ways, and will heal him ; I 
will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him, and to his 
mourners :' oh ! then thought I, there is help ; there is yet hope. 
I ate up all his words as they fell from his lips. I perfectly 
hung upon his lips, through the whole of the sermon. He 
arraigned me, he condemned me, and then he pardoned me. 
I came home cheered ; my spirit was greatly refreshed. I 
could say with Jeremiah — 'Thy words were found, and I did 
eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of 
my heart/ After this, I went on comfortably for a while, 
though not without some mixture of fear. But in the year 1 724, 
having been married then some years, and the Lord having 
blessed me with considerable increase from a small begin- 
ning, covetousness began to prevail. I was aware of it, and 
not wholly insensible of the danger ; and yet, such was the 
sweetness of gain, that I observed my first and last thoughts 
were apt to run very much upon it. 

In the spring of 1 725, having accustomed myself to, devote 
the first hour of every day, to reading, meditation, and prayer ; 
and being then upon Mr. Baxter's Saints' Everlasting Rest, 
when I came to that part, where he gives particular direc- 
tions in the work of self-examination — Now, thought I, will 
I ' give diligence to make my calling and election sure/ He 
advises us, in this important work, in order to discern the 
truth Gf our state God-ward, not to multiply marks, but to 
clear up these two points : — Have I, in my practical judg- 
ment, chosen God for ' my portion' ? and then — Have I, in 
my practical judgment, chosen Christ for my Saviour ? In 
this matter, I took abundance of pains from morning to 
morning ; searching and sifting both my heart and life, and 
begging earnestly that God would * search' and i try me', and 
discover me to myself; and this for several weeks. Still, my 



JEt.bb. A REVIEW OF GOD^S DEALINGS WITH HIM. 251 

soul hung in doubt ; sometimes hope, and sometimes fear 
prevailed; but hope had generally the ascendancy: and I 
am convinced more and more, that though it be every Chris- 
tian's duty, to ' give diligence to make his calling and elec- 
tion sure,' it is not in his own power to accomplish it. It is God 
alone can give us, 'in the behalf of Christ', to 'believe'; as well 
as it is he alone can give us to ' surfer for his sake*. Well,when 
the Lord had convinced me I could not do it with all my di- 
ligence and labour (for he will have us to labour for it), he took 
the matter in hand himself, and did it for me presently in his own 
way. He brought me into the wilderness, and there he spake 
comfortably unto me. He brought me into sudden and deep 
adversity ; so that, whereas from beginning the world with 
a certain sum, in rive or six years I had gained twice 
that sum, he, at one stroke, took away one-third from me, 
and, three months after, another. The stock I had to begin 
with, still remained with me ; but I began to think, as in Job's 
case, all was gone ! and, which was the most humbling trial 
of all, my character was severely censured, and my good 
name, though very unjustly, trampled in the dirt. I had now 
no refuge but the Rock of ages ; I could appeal to him with 
humble confidence ; I sought him more than ever ; I redeem- 
ed time every evening for solemn meditation, to converse with 
God and my own soul. He did not fail to meet me. He, 
who joined himself to the travellers going to Emmaus, did 
not withhold his presence from a poor, suffering worm. It 
is pleasant still, at the distance of twenty-two years, to sur- 
vey the private walks I then took in the twilight ; and one 
particular hedge, under which I had many sweet tokens of 
his presence. By this time, my 'joy' was such as a 'stranger 
intermeddleth not with.' I had lost two-thirds of the little 
1 had possessed ; but I had found the ' pearl' of inestimable 
price. My heart was dead to the world (and blessed be his 
name, it has been so, in a great measure, ever since), and I 
cculd no longer doubt whether God were 'my portion ;' for I 



252 CONFIRMING PIETY IN A DAUGHTER. 1747* 

found enough in him to fill all my wishes, and satisfy all my 
desires, I found I could enjoy all in God, though I were 
stripped of all. Oh! how good, how kind was he to sinful 
dust and ashes. He might have justly withheld his presence ; 
left me to straggle with my difficulties alone ; and have aban- 
doned me to contempt and despair : but, f as a father pitieth. 
his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him :' He 
l - gave me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and 
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,' To this 
day, I always reflect on that humbling season with pleasure, 
and praise. Having cured me of covetousness, the next year 
he more than made up all my losses ; and ever since he has 
given me prosperity enough, and has given me to enjoy him 
in all. 

For ever blessed, and adored, and loved, be his -Name, for 
what he has done for a worthless unprofitable servant, and is 
still doing. He has called me since that, to encounter greater 
trials ; but he is always before-hand with the gifts of his 
bounty, and the tokens of his love ; so that I could pretty 
well conjecture when any sharp trial was coming, by the 
sweet manifestations he first made of his love to my soul. 
( O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name to- 
gether !' J.W. 

CONFIRMING PIETY IN A DAUGHTER. 
To his daughter Hanbury. 

Fordingbridge, May €, 1747. 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

' I have no greater joy/ except rejoicing in Christ Jesus, 
* than to see my children walking in the truth.' I hope you 
have all l chosen that good part which shall not be taken away 
from you ;' and, I sensibly find such a glorious hope hath 
contributed not a little, for many months, towards keeping 
mc in high spirits. To see the partner of all my joys and 



JEt. 55. CONFIRMING PIETY IN A DAUGHTER. <253 

cares, and all my children, travelling with me Sion-wards, 
and to look forward to the day, when we ' shall' all ( sit 
down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom 
of our Father' — oh ! it is the life of my life : It puts life 
into my prayers : It fills me with gratitude, when approach- 
ing the divine footstool : It ' is abundant, also, by many 
thanksgivings unto God :' It cheers many of my lonesome hours: 
It assures me, that each of you will never want such a mea- 
sure of earthly good, as is best and most conducive to your 
immortal interests, for * all other things' shall be added unto 
you : And, it tends perfectly to obliterate envy from my 
breast, for I think no man upon earth happier than myself. 
My dear child, it is, indeed, desirable to find our souls al- 
ways upon the wing God-ward and heaven-ward, ( ready to 
every good work,' our faith always lively and strong, ' tak- 
ing heaven by force,' and in our wrestlings with God say- 
ing — < I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.' It is 
highly desirable to have love to a dear Redeemer always 
flaming, and our affections to ail created comforts duly re- 
gulated, so as to love him better, love opportunities of con- 
versing with him, and prize his presence, and the tokens of 
his love, even above our necessary food. It is very desirable 
to find, that indwelling sin, the corruption of our nature, the 
workings of unbelief, our deadness in duty and backward- 
ness to jt, are our daily burthen, under which we ' groan, 
being burdened.' It is good to renew daily and deeply, our 
repentings for actual sin, and find a growing hatred to it 
and watchfulness against it, and a holy jealousy over our- 
selves following us into all places, companies, and employ- 
ments. As a consequence of these things, it is desirable to 
have a joyful hope, that w r e are indeed < passed from death 
unto life ;' that c God is our God for ever and ever/ and 
( will never leave us, nor forsake us ;' that l the Spirit of 
God witnesseth with our spirit' to our being ' the children 
of God ;' that we find heaven already begun in our souls,, 






£54 CONFIRMING PIETY IN A DAUGHTER, 174?. 

— even the dawnings of an eternal day ; and, that ' the love of 
God is shed abroad in our hearts/ aud e the sun of righte- 
ousness arisen' there l with healing in his wings.' These> 
are true riches, solid pleasures, and substantial honours. In 
ourselves c we are nothing/ and of ourselves c can do no- 
thing :* Christ is the fountain of life and grace, and the 
more we go to him, and to God in his ' name/ the more 
abundantly shall we receive. Christ stands with blessings 
in his hands ready to bestow upon all that come ; and the 
more and the oftener we come to him, the more shall we 
have ; for ( he giveth liberally, and upbraideth not.' He 
does not tell us, as we are too apt to tell our fellow-mor- 
tals — You were at my door yesterday, or very lately, and 
I relieved you ; how can you have the face to come again 
so soon ? No ; t his ways are not our ways.' He bids us 
€ pray without ceasing :* and if we pray without ceasing, we 
should receive without ceasing. c Why are the King's chil- 
dren so lean from day to day :* Is it not because they have 
too little, and too seldom, recourse to the fountain ? They 
who frequent the court, learn a genteel and courtly beha- 
viour : have we a heavenly temper ? If not, it is because 
' our conversation is' not f in heaven. We never shall be 
lively Christians, till we live much with Christ. Nehemiah 
could ' pray to the God of heaven,' while he. was waiting 
on an earthly prince. Cannot we pray more than we do, 
while walking, sitting, working, nursing, or conversing with 
fellow-mortals ? Mr. Herbert, speaking of such ejacula- 
tions, tells the Lord — 

" Thou canst no more not hear,, 
" Thau thou canst die." 

He also represents the Saviour as saying — 

" Sighs will convey any thing to me." 

Were it not for our corruptions, our pride, our selfishness, 
it would be thought no great matter to believe the word, 



JSU55. COUNSEL AND COMFORT TO THE AFFLICTED. 255 

■ the promise of God that cannot lie :' It would be as easy 

to believe God's word, as to credit the word of the best man 

upon earth. Do you start at that ? I speak it to the shame 

of my own unbelief. Do you, indeed, as readily, as strongly 

and without a doubt, believe the promises of your heavenly 

Father, as you would a promise made by your earthly parent: 

and yet, does not your judgment readily consent, that there 

is an infinitely firmer foundation for believing the former 

than the latter! Why are we, then, so faithless? Goto 

Christ with this very complaint. ' They that wait upon the 

Lorfl, shall renew their strength.' Christ ' saves his people 

from their sins,' as well as from ' the wages of sin.' Bear 

me much upon your heart, and believe me to be jour tenderly 

affectionate father, 

J. W. 

COUNSEL AND COMFORT TO THE AFFLICTED. 
To Mrs. Sarah Crane* 

(On a South Journey), May 4, 1747- 

MY DEAR SISTER, 

I can tenderly sympathize with you. I have known what 
it is to part with desirable children. May you never know 
such piercing grief, if it be the will of our heavenly Father. 
I am glad to find you can resign your dearest comforts, your 
Isaacs, to the Lord. The apostle John says very truly — 
1 This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our 
faith/ Indeed this is that which overcometh worldly love, 
and worldly fear. What are worldly losses, or worldly gains, 
to him whose ' treasure' is in 'heaven' ? Or what is the loss of 
the dearest earthly relative to him who can say — l My be- 
loved' Saviour t is mine, and I am his ?' Pain indeed, will be 
felt : and though ' the spirit of a man may sustain' many ' in- 
firmities/ yet sharp pains, and of long duration, will subdue 

* Of Bromsgrove : and formerly a Miss Pearsall. Her younger 
daughter was, at this time, in a very afflicted state. She was not related 
by marriage to the gentleman mentioned in page 37. 









$,$6 WORLDLY SUBSTANCE IMPROVED. 1747- 

the stoutest spirit and the strongest constitution ; but it is a 
noble support, even in that case, to ( know, that if our earthly 
house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building 
of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the hea- 
vens/ Dear sister, fly to the Lord in all your fears and 
griefs. For my part, I knew little of him, little of his all- 
sufficiency, little of the ' open access, through Jesus/ which 
we have to him, little of his readiness to fly to our relief, till 
some years ago. He then graciously condescended to make 
such a discovery of himself, of my relation to him and in- 
terest in him, as I had never known before : and never did I 
see myself to be such a polluted worm as then. I have still 
great need to desire, ' that I may know Christ/ with one 
apostle ; and, as another exhorts, that I may * grow in grace, 
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.' 
I am sure ' the love of Christ passeth knowledge/ However, 
blessed be God, I have now for years known no anxiety. 
Whatsoever I want, I fly to i the throne of grace' for. I 
pour before him my words, I plead his promises, his all-suffi- 
ciency ; 1 tell him — Lord, thou canst, thon wilt provide for 
me; and he hath never put my hope to shame. Oh ! that 
I could prevail on you to trust Divine all-sufficiency, and be- 
lieve, that God 'is able/ and as willing as able, 'to do' for 
you ' exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think/ 
It is not asking in faith, it is not trusting, but doubting, un- 
less we believe he will, as well as can, fulfil all his promises. 
May you have a more abundant 'supply of the Spirit of Jesus 
Christ/ and then l we know that all things work together for 
good/ This is the earnest desire and prayer of, &c. 

J. W. 

WORLDLY SUBSTANCE IMPROVED. 



Lord's- day. May 31,1747. The minister, Mr. Fawcett, hath 
been discoursing on our Lord's saying — ' Make to yourselves 
friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness. ' Thus, we are 



JEt. 55. A TRIBUTE TO CONJUGAL AFFECTION. 257 

taught true wisdom, even by iniquitous examples ; and, to 
consider all worldly riches as of a deceitful nature. Indeed, 
all created enjoyments are vain and dissatisfying; our happi- 
ness does not consist in the abundance of them ; their abun- 
dance rather increases the miseries of life ; they can do no- 
thing for us in the hour of death, and will make our future 
account the more awful and difficult. O my soul, wisely 
improve these hints. Sit loose to the world. Catch not at 
riches too eagerly, nor grasp them too closely. Use them for 
the ends for which they were given. 'Use' them l as not 
abusing them.' Be solicitous to l make thyself a friend' in 
heaven, by a right distribution l of this mammon of unrighte- 
ousness.' Remember the saying of Chrysostom — " A man 
does not become rich by laying up abundance, but by laying 
out abundance ; that is, by laying it out for God." 

A TRIBUTE TO CONJUGAL AFFECTION. 

To Miss Wilkinson. 

Kidderminster, June 1, 1747. 

DEAH MISS, 

Do not imagine, because you are out of sight, that you are 
out of mind ; I bear you frequently on my thoughts, and do 
not always forget you when before the Throne. I never found 
my nephew so deaf to my advice as since I saw your father's 
last letter. I have been labouring to open his eyes to see a 
Providence in the obstacles which retard the consummation 
of his fondest wishes ; but I promise myself a more tractable 
disciple in you. I tell him that more insuperable bars were 
thrown in my way, which kept me in a state of disunion, not 
indeed of hearts, from the object of my supreme earthly joys, 
for more than three years ; and yet, our mutual affection be- 
ing fully tried, I am persuaded a firmer friendship was laid 
for that conjugal affection which still subsists, and is still in- 
creasing. She sent me some endearing verses in my last 
journey. You cannot be supposed to take the pleasure in 

S 









%b$ A TRIBUTE TO CONJUGAL AFFECTION, 1747, 

them that I do, but as you were so lately one of my family, 
you are not yet quite unconcerned about its interests. I will, 
therefore, submit to your inspection what, in my lonesome 
hours, I put together and sent to my wife on the fourth of 
May ; — 

My best belov'd, thy honest, pious lays. 
Justly demand thy grateful partner's praise. 
Unknown to Clio in thy blooming age. 
What spark, so late, rous'd thy poetic rage ? 
'Twas a celestial spark, * a living coal 
From Salem's altar' touch'd my Phebe's soul. 
Though love connubial first engag'd her hand, 
Her heart — a nobler passion doth command. 

Fain would she bring her distant lover near — * 
^Explores her heart, and finds her Pythias there. 
She finds him there nor so v 'reign, nor alone, 
But finds Messiah regent on the throne : — 
i{ My Lord," she cries, " I humbly recommend 
To thy blest care, my dearest earthly friend. 

Israel's Saviour, present ev'ry where i 
Be to my spouse, my Pythias, ever near. 

Let some fair seraphs guard the paths he'll tread, 
5 And nightly keep their stations round his bed; 

From stage to stage his circuit still attend, 
» Prepar'd, each threat'ning moment, to defend. 
And, O thou fairest of ten thousand fairs ! 
Let thy lov'd presence soften all his cares : 
Daily let flames divine his bosom warm, 
And his dear heart thy matchless beauties charm* 

1 yield to thee : the throne do thou embrace ! 
Content, I there, but claim the second place, 
in Christ let Pythias with me here combine, 
And in thy glory both hereafter shine." 

To Pythias next her glowing heart descends. 
Accosts him — dearest of all earthly friends > 



JEt.55. THE WORLD ECLIPSED BY A SIGHT OF CHRIST.25& 

With moving meekness begs his kind regard ; 
And while her vows address their common Lord 
Before the mercy-seat, the pious fair 
Bespeaks his daily suit to meet her there. 
No studied compliment employs her pen, 
No flatting praise, to borrow praise again ; 
Nor chides her spouse, nor peevishly complains, 
But cheers and counsels him in tender strains : 
In love, provokes to sacred service due, 
And holds the bright immortal crown to view : 
Invites him to a share in heav'n's employ, 
And leads him to anticipate the joy. 

My dear, let pious motives thus improve, 
And daily feed our growing mutual love; 
Till both, releas'd from cottages of clay, 
Ascend to courts of never-ending day. 

But to return : I doubt not it will appear to be in mercy 

to each of you that the important event is for a time delayed. 

I would never run before Providence, but follow its leadings. 

You will remember, dear Miss, that ' the time is short/ that 

'* one thing/ and but one, ' is needful.' Let your care about 

your soul's immortal interests absorb all other cares, and your 

love to Christ, all other loves. Assure yourself of a cordial 

friend in your humble servant, 

J. W. 

THE WORLD ECLIPSED BY A SIGHT OF CHRIST. 
To his daughter Esther.* 

Kidderminster, June 7, 1747- 

MY DEAR, 

Had you been bred and lived till this day, on the side of 
a forest, or in a wide, open common, where you had only 
seen a few scattered cottages ; and, had known no other 
employ than feeding a few domestic animals, or milking a 

* Then an a visit in London, 
S % 









260 THE WORLD ECLIPSED BY A SIGHT OF CHRIST. 174?. 

cow ; nor any other conversation than that of a few country 
lads and lasses ; how would your eyes have been delighted, 
and your mind enchanted, with the sight of such a town as 
Kidderminster! But now you have seen London, St. 
Paul's, Ranelagh, &c. how mean must your native place 
appear in your eyes, and how far must it be from exciting 
your wonder or admiration ! Apply this to a soul, who by 
faith hath seen Christ and heaven, and can call Jesus its be- 
loved audits friend, and the joys of heaven its own. Time 
was when the great and gay things of this life, the treasures, 
the pomp, and the entertainments of this world, were the 
most tempting objects that soul could look upon ; but now 
it looks Upon the world, with all its riches and its gayest scenes, 
as a little, mean, despicable thing : and, if the world begin 
to flatter it again, by looking great and tempting in its 
eyes, it looks again to Jesus and his salvation ; thus, the 
world quickly loses all its splendour and allurement. Have 
you, my dear child, had such a sight of JesuS) and salvation 
through him ? Have you seen his personal excellencies, his 
almighty power to save ? Have you seen the inconceivable 
treasures of his wisdom and knowledge - T how well able he 
is to confound all the policies of hell, and defeat Satan's 
most subtle devices, when he contrives mischief against his 
redeemed ones I Have you seen his love and compassion ; 
and, that his willingness is equal to his ability l to save all 
that come unto God by him I' Have you read this in his 
incarnation ? Have you traced it in his labours and travels ■; 
in his preachings, and pleadings with obstinate sinners all 
day long ; and, in his midnight wrestlings with God upon 
the cold mountains ? Have you heard and believed it, in 
his kind invitations and melting language ?.— ' Ho, every one 
that thirsteth, come ye to the waters :' ( Come unto me, all 
ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest :' 
* Him that eometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out/ 
Have you seen it in his quiet submission to cruel sufferings 



JEt.DO. THE WORLD ECLIPSED BY A SIGHT OF CHRIST. 26l 

and bitter reproaches ; in his agonies in the garden, when 
the tortures of his soul drew from him ' strong cries and 
tears V Have you seen his perfect righteousness and aton- 
ing blood to be a righteousness not wrought out for himself 
but you, — blood shed not for himself but you ? Have you 
understood it as the language of his arms, when spread out 
naked on the cross — that he is ready to embrace every com- 
ing sinner r Have you heard this as the voice of every 
wound of his body, while expiring amidst his blood and 
groans — l Look unto me, and be ye saved ?' Have you seen 
him procuring pardon of sin, and justification unto eternal 
life ; — that he hath made satisfaction for the vilest of crimes, 
and the chief of sinners ; — that he hath a human nature 
which could die, and an in-dwelling divinity which could 
put an infinite value upon his sufferings, and make it an all- 
sufficient atonement for all your sins and guilt ; — that he hath 
fulfilled God's perfect law, which we never could fulfil, and 
bore the curse, which would have sunk us down to endless 
misery ; and all this, not for himself, but for us ? Have you 
seen his righteousness to be such as shall never be abolish- 
ed, though the heavens are melted down, and the pillars of 
the earth taken away ; and, that he hath ' finished the trans- 
gression,' ' made an end of sins,' made ' reconciliation for 
iniquities/ and brought in ' everlasting righteousness ?' Have 
you been fully convinced that ' all power is given unto him 
in heaven and in earth ;' and, that ' he is able to keep what 
is committed unto him against that day ?' Have you seen 
him to be ' the faithful witness/ who ' liveth and was dead, 
and is * alive for evermore, Amen ; and hath the keys of 
hell and of death / and, that ' whom he loves, he loves unto 
the end ?' Have you also, from a sense of your sin and 
misery, your guilt and corruption, your inability to save 
yourself — with inward grief and sincere repentance — solemnly 
committed your soul into his hands for salvation, relying 

s 3 









26& THE WORLD ECLIPSED BY A SIGHT OF CHRIST. 1747.- 

entirely upon his all-sufficiency and faithfulness ? And, 
are you frequently, in every religious duty, and in the in*- 
tervals of duty, looking up to him as the ' Lord your righ- 
teousness and strength V If you have thus, and upon these 
accounts, committed yourself by prayer and humble de^ 
pendance into the hands of Christ as an all-sufficient Savi- 
our, sincerely and earnestly desirous of his salvation in all 
the parts of it ; salvation from sin, as well as from hell ; 
depend upon it my dear child is a believer in Christ, and 
shall certainly be saved. Now, if this be your happy state 
and case, as I hope it is, what are all the great and gay 
things below the skies to you ? How much more excellent 
and desirable do you see holiness, even in poverty and rags, 
than impiety and irreligion, though attended with the great- 
est pomp and grandeur ! What a rich treasure are ' the 
promises/ as they ( are all yea and amen in Jesus Christ !' 
Nor do the threatenings wear a dreadful aspect, if you have 
seen Jesus with an eye of faith. Even the face of God, 
which is dreadful to the guilty soul, you may look upon 
without dismay, since you have seen ' God in Christ recon- 
ciling the world unto himself.' Nor, need you be surprised 
with overwhelming fears of sorrows or sufferings, or even 
death itself, since Jesus ' hath abolished death/ and taken 
away its sting. Happy souls that are in snch a case ! How 
careful should such be of their way and walk, lest they 
wound their consciences by contracting fresh guilt, sully 
their evidences, and mar all their comforts. O i flee youth- 
ful lusts, which war against the soul.' By no means neglect 
prayer, nor starve your soul for want of frequent recourse to 
the Fountain of all grace. ' Keep yourself in the love of 
God/ ' looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ un- 
to eternal life/ I ' commend you to' him, ' who is able to 
keep' you ; and am, dear child, your truly affectionate father^ 

J. W, 



.JZt.55, ENDEAVOURS TO RECLAIM A BROTHER. $&> 

REITERATED ENDEAVOURS TO RECLAIM 
A BROTHER. 

JVednesday, July 8, 1747- Several times of late I have 
had some enlargement in prayer for my brother John, that 
he may be converted and saved. With this view, I wrote 
him a long letter last week, in which I put many searching 
questions, desiring him to put them closely to his con- 
science. Yesterday morning, reading in Mr. Baxter's Call 
to the Unconverted, and being struck with the pungency of 
his arguments, it was suggested to my thoughts, that I 
should try to engage my brother to come every evening, and 
hear me first read to him in that book, till I had read it 
through, and then conclude each evening with prayer. I 
immediately wrote him a short letter, which I began with 
telling him plainly, that I was more and more convinced he 
was yet in an unconverted state, that is, in an unpardoned 
state, and was going to hell as fast as the wheels of time 
could carry him ; withal, signifying my firm persuasion that 
he might yet obtain mercy, and desiring him to come to me 
in the evening. He did not come ; therefore, this morning 
I sent a messenger, desiring him to come this evening. The 
messenger presently returned, and brought me a sealed let- 
ter. I was afraid to open it till 1 had poured out my soul 
to God for him, and had much enlargement given me in 
pleading for him, which greatly animated my hope that 
God will have mercy on him. When I opened the letter, 
I found it contained an excuse for not coming before, and 
a promise to come this evening. Accordingly, this evening 
he hath been here, and finding him in a pliable disposition, 
1 took him into a private chamber, and made the proposal 
to him, to which he readily agreed. I read several pages, 
and then he joined with me in prayer, in which I put in suit 
that promise — ' If two of you shall agree on earth, as 
touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for, 

s 4 






£64 SAINTS SHINE WITH BORROWED RAYS. 1747« 

them of my Father which is in heaven.' The Lord was 
with us of a truth. I had great freedom, boldness, and 
confidence : he had sighs and groanings unutterable, We 
afterwards embraced and kissed each other with great affec- 
tion. He complained of a hard, obdurate heart : but I 
hope sovereign grace will mollify it, notwithstanding all the 
efforts of Satan to the contrary. ' I will now hear what 
God the Lord will say,' and attend to what he will do. Oh! 
may we i never be weary of well-doing.' * 

SAINTS SHINE WITH BORROWED RAYS. 

At Sherborne, July 22, 1747. 

'Twas on the day, when sacred rest 
Kind Heav'n enjoins to man and beast, 

* At this place it is proper to state that, in a letter to the Rev. R. 
Pearsall, dated Kidderminster, January 18, 1749, Mr. Williams writes : 
(t I have the pleasure to tell you that several old, hardened sinners here, 
are at this time under deep convictions ; and among them my own dear 
brother. I have hopes, though he hath sinned away many very pung- 
ent convictions, that these may be abiding." And it is proper, also, 
to remark that Mr. \V. had another brother, named Paul, who entered 
as a private into one of the regiments of Horse-guards. Family inform- 
ation has not conveyed any farther particulars of him than that he be- 
came a deserter two if not three times, and that on being ultimately 
sentenced to be shot, lie wrote a letter to Queen Caroline, in three 
languages, and with exquisite penmanship, in which. he informed her 
Majesty, that — Having been educated as a protestant dissenter, the pro- 
fession of arms offensively exercised, was repugnant to his principles, 
and that the immorality of his associates rendered his situation loath- 
some, but that of his loyalty, and good conduct while in his regiment, 
he could furnish her Majesty with sufficient testimonials, &c. &c. Her 
Majesty was so impressed with the contents and execution of the letter, 
as graciously to procure his pardon ; after which, he went with the 
regiment to Germany, and while employed in a foraging party, was 
shot by the enemy. His personal appearance and his address were ex- 
tremely fascinating, and his society much sought after, these circum- 
stances contributed to feed that personal vanity which was the cause of 
his unsteady disposition, and led to his dissipating a considerable fortune. 



_£/. 55. OBLIGATIONS TO DIVINE GRAjCE. *26q 

Bright Phcebus shot an early ray 
Across the chamber where I lay, 
But the refulgent effluence found 
My sense with downy slumbers bound. 
Anon, from sleep's dominion freed, 
I gaz'd around with mindful heed, 
And mark'd, surpris'd, close by my bed, 
A sun-beam on the ceiling spread. 
I rose, this mystery to trace, 
And, lo ! a mirror's polish'd face, 
Set to confront the god of day, 
Oblique, retorts his borrow'd ray. 

Just so, thought I, the Saviour gives 
The graces ev'rv saint receives : 
Just so, with borrow'd rays he shines, 
Whilst Jesus all his soul refines. 
Each Christian is a looking-glass, 
And Christ the Sun of righteousness. 

OBLIGATIONS TO DIVINE GRACE. 

To the Rev. R. Pearsall. 

(On a journey,) August 15, 1747- 

DEAR BROTHER, 

Blessed be God, who looked upon your distress, and 
commanded the bitter ' cup to pass from you.' ' For us 
to live,' may it be ' Christ !' Many ' talents' are put into 
your hands, and many into mine, of which we must render 
' an account :' and * the time is short.' Oh ! how little do 
I attend to the main ends of life, as one that knows and 
believes I shall shortly die. I often wonder at myself, how- 
unaffected I am with the most surprising acts of grace. 
Fain would I have been a libertine in my giddy youth, and 
then sovereign grace prevented me. Fain would I have 
trod the downward road. Oh ! what scenes of wickedness 
did I sometimes meditate. No doubt I should have carried 



: ' 









266 OBLIGATIONS TO DIVINE GRACE. 1742. 

them into practice if opportunity and impudence had been 
in proportion to inclination. For ever adored be the grace 
of Christ, who redeemed me, not only from the guilt, but 
also, from the power of sin, and not only from the guilt 
and power, but likewise, from the pollution. " Oh ! what 
a Christ have I." He ' bare' my < sins in his own body on 
the tree.' I am < complete in him / so complete, that there 
is e no more conscience of sins.' Oh ! what a glorious pri- 
vilege, to ' have our hearts sprinkled from an evil con- 
science.' How inexcusable am I, if I do not ' love much,' 
for I verily believe ( much hath been forgiven' me! And, 
why this grace to me ! Why am I not ' committing sin 
with greediness,' and ( filling up the measure of my iniqui- 
ties^!' Why am I not as vile as the vilest ! At least, why 
am I not as vile as I would have been ! I am sine that ' to 
wiir a vain, sensual, flesh-pleasing life ' was present with 
me,' and prevalent over me ; and many a time it grieved me, 
that I could not sin more impudently and without controul. 
Who changed the bias of my will, and turned the current of 
iny affections ? Who made me first dread, and then hate the 
things I had dearly loved ; and, love the things I had loathed I 
Certainly, it was Almighty Grace ; nothing less conld have 
done it. The voice that called dead Lazarus out of his 
grave, caused me, when 'dead in trespasses and sins/ to 
hear hi3 voice and live : but, why did he exert such power, 
and bestow such grace on me ! Oh ! infinite grace ; bound- 
less compassion ! free, rich, unmerited, distinguishing love ! 
And, why doth he now, while I am writing, ' shed abroad 
his love in my heart/ which,when I began to write, was as dull 
as a clod of earth ! How many, who have lived more accu- 
rately and more usefully than I, are ' feeling after him, if 
haply they might find him !' Why is not this bewitching 
world a greater snare to me ? A much less increase of its 
possessions ensnared my heart formerly. Why does not the 
abundance of it overwhelm my heart, and quench the coal of 



JEt.L>5. THE RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS CONSIDERED. 267 

devotion ? When I was not possessed of half so much, he 
gave me to think it enough ; and since that, without much 
plodding or projecting of mine, hath marked out my path to 
riches, and caused them to come rolling in upon me, and 
more and more from year to year. Even now, though, alas! 
not without a corrupt mixture, he is making his gifts matter 
for praise, and incentives to love, and inclines me to ' make 
unto myself friends of the mammon of unrighteousness.' 
1 This is the victory that overcometh the world/ its smiles 
as well as its frowns — ' even our faith/ Blessed be his Name, 
twenty-two years ago he enabled me to despise the frowns, 
when they appeared threatening enough ; and now, adored be 
his grace, he shews me better things than the Syren's en- 
chanting smiles. O adorable Jesus, thou art ' all in all' to 
my soul ! ' Let their money perish with them/ who esteem 
thousands and ten thousands of gold and silver, worth one 
friendly look, one assuring word from thee. ' But God for- 
bid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto 
the world/ Never, sure, was such grace bestowed upon 
such a worthless, ungrateful, unprofitable worm. Let love 
with faith be the pulse, and praise the breath of our souls : 
So shall we have 'peace from God the Father, and from the 
Lord Jesus Christ/ Faith and love will do wonders. Let 
us pray for one another. I am, wishing all grace to abound 
towards you, yours indeed, 

J. W. 

THE STATE OF THE RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS NOT 
THE CRITERION OF SAFETY. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Richards. 

Kidderminster, September 5, 1747. 

DEAR BROTHER, 

I have been reading over yours of the eighth of July, in 
which I see a clear illustration of what the apostle observes 






268 THE RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS CONSIDERED. 1747- 

— c The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against 
the flesh : and these are contrary the one to the other ; so 
that ye cannot do the things that ye wotild.' — It is certain, 
sin is ybur disease, and your only physician Christ. To deal 
freely, you seem to me to be * seeking/ and to be in the 
right way to ' find ;' but scarcely to have ' found the pearl of 
great price/ 'What has hindered ? The wise merchant ' sold 
all that he had,' and bought that pearl ; have you sold all 
with a view to ' win Christ ?' Is there nothing that stands 
in competition with him ? No known transgression you will 
not let go ; no positive duty you shun ; nothing in your ha- 
bitual course that your heart condemns you for, either of 
omission or commission ? Is there nothing else you trust in 
besides God, his word, his promise, his covenant, and his 
oath ? Do you not sometimes, when you have enlargement 
of soul in duty, entertain hope ; and quit your hope when 
your heart has lost its fervour ? Then, you do not trust 
solely in Christ, but partly in the goodness of your frame. 
The affections are mutable, and while you trust in them 
your hope will also ebb and flow ; but the promise, or rather 
the Proiniser, is always the same. He i is the rock of ages/ 
' the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. 7 If you trust in 
him, neither when in a lively frame will you think your state 
God-ward better, nor when in a dull frame will you think it 
worse. Do not mistake me ; I do not say that a dull frame 
in duty is as good as a lively frame : no ! it is highly desir- 
able to have the soul ever on the wing ; love, flaming and rap- 
turous ; faith, active and vigourous. Doubtless, the very life 
and soul of all true religion consist much in vigorous affec- 
tions : but, I say, having chosen God for our ' portion/ hav- 
ing closed heartily with gospel invitations, and found in our- 
selves the marks of true believers, we ought to rest on the 
promise made to such, and not on the goodness of our frames. 
The sun shines as brightly when a cloud intercepts its beams, 
as when there is a clear sky ; and God loves his children as 



JEt. 55. CHRIST CALLS HIS SERVANTS, FRIENDS. 2G9 

really when ' he hides his face/ as when they ' walk in the 
light of his countenance / accordingly they are directed when 
they ' walk in darkness, and have no light/ i to trust in the 
name of the Lord, and stay upon their God/ 

DEAR SISTER, 

What I say to my brother I say also to you, as far as it 
is applicable to your case. You are both sensible you are 
undone without Christ ; venture, therefore, having discarded 
every rival, to claim him as your Lord audyour God. Is it 
not his own invitation ? — ' If any man thirst, let him come 
unto me and drink/ — ' I will give unto him that is athirst of 
the fountain of the water of life freely/ Why do you call in 
question his love to you ? Perhaps you will say, and too 
justly — Because you doubt your love to him. Have you 
been sufficiently thankful for what his Spirit hath wrought in 
you ? Among men, thankfulness for benefits received often 
obtains more. You have many peculiar mercies to be thank- 
ful for. Whojshewed you ' the exceeding sinfulness of sin/ 
your need of a Saviour, and iiis all-sufficiency ? Was all this 
the work of nature, or of grace ? For these things, abound 
in thanksgiving ; and go to him not only praying, but trust- 
ing in his promise, and pleading too — ( that he which hath 
begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of 
Jesus Christ/ Thus, plead the compassions of his nature, 
and the promises of his grace, and if he reject your suit, yours 
will be the first he ever did reject. To his blessing I com- 
mend you, and remain, your affectionate brother, 

J. W. 

CHRIST CALLS HIS SERVANTS, FRIENDS. 

Loirfs-day morning, October 4, 1? '47. How astonishing 
is the condescension of Jesus to all true believers ! ' Hence- 
forth/ says he, c I call you not servants/ ' but I have called 
you friends' : — ' Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I 
command you/ The great Apostle thought it a high ho- 









270 CHRIST CALLS HIS SERVAKfs, fRlENDS. 1747*. 

hour to be entitled — i a servant of Jesits Christ* So it is, 
but certainly, more is implied in being his 'friends? Now, 
where there is friendship, there must be a oneness of nature. 
We see there is a kind of friendship among the brutes ; but 
their several associations are only of those of the same spe- 
cies : — The ox herds not with the swine, nor the pigeon with 
the crow. So man cannot strike Up a friendship, but with 
one of his own nature. If, therefore, Christ call and treat 
his people as his friends, there must certainly be a oneness 
of nature subsisting between him and them. Accordingly, 
we read — ' God was manifest in the flesh/ — ' The Word was 
made flesh, and dwelt among us.' There can be no friend- 
ship between a holy God and sinful man, but in and through 
Christ, who unites both natures in himself. There must, also, 
be a conformity or lateness of dispositions and tempers. 
' The same mind must be in us, that Mas in Christ Jesus/ 
Was he ' holy, harmless, undefiled/ and ' separate from sin- 
ners ?' — none are the friends of Christ, nor will he own 
them as such, in whom there is not, in a prevailing though 
imperfect degree, the same Christ-like disposition and tem- 
per ! for, ' if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is 
/none of his.' Now, O my soul, is the same mind in thee, 
which was in Christ Jesus ? He e came to do the will of his 
Father who sent him/ and his Father's honour was dearest to 
him. When death, with all its horrors* stared him in the 
face, so that frail nature could not but pray — i Father, save 
me from this hour/ he presently checks himself — '• But for 
this cause came I unto this hour : Father, glorify thy name/ 
When he was in his agony in the garden, he prayed more 
earnestly — f Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from 
me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt/ — ' Not my 
will, but thine be done/ Now, is this the supreme desire 
and endeavour of my soul — that God may be glorified in me, 
by me, and upon me, whatever become of me, whatever 
advantages I must give up, and whatever scorn and reproach 



JFA. 55. INVlTrNG A RELATIVE TO THE LOED's TABLE^. 271 

I am called to pass through. .Again, there must be a one- 
ness of interest, that a cordial friendship may obtain ; at least 
not a clashing of interests. What then is Christ's interest ? 
— in all things to have his Father glorified, and himself, who is 
c one with the Father ;' — i to seek and to save that which was 
lost;' — 'to take away sin,' and to destroy it ; — to subdue Satan ; 
— and ' to put all his enemies under his feet/ Do I esteem it 
my best interest to glorify God and Christ, to save souls, to 
subdue or suppress sin in my heart and life, and counteract 
the malicious designs of Satan ? 

INVITING A RELATIVE TO THE LORD'S TABLE. 
To his nephew Watson. 

London, October SO, 1747. 

D$ AR COUSIN, 

Having with difficulty rescued an hour for retirement, it 
has been impressed on my mind to write and ask you — Why 
do you not eat bread and drink wine, in remembrance of 
Christ, according to his command ? Is it not a glorious pri- 
vilege, to ' eat the flesh, and drink the blood of the Son of 
man' — ' the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the 
world ?' Would you not think it a great hardship, a distress- 
ing circumstance, to be excepted by name, and forbid ever 
to partake of this solemnity ? Have you enough of Christ ? 
Do you enjoy as much of him as you desire ? Or, do you 
imagine you can enjoy as much of him in the neglect, as in 
the use of his own prescribed means ? Does not our Lord 
Jesus best know in what ways to manifest himself, and im- 
part his grace to the souls that i do hunger and thirst after 
him V Bread and wine are in themselves means of nourish- 
ing our bodies and cheering our spirits ; and it is well re- 
marked by Mr. Herbert — 

" Not in rich furniture, or fine array, 
" Nor in a wedge of gold, 
" Thou who for me wast sold, 

u To me dost now thyself convey ; 












£72 INVITING A RELATIVE TO THE LORD'S TABLE. 1747. 

" For so thou shouldst without me still have been, 
" Leaving within me sin. 

" But by the way of nourishment and strength, 

" Thou creep'st into my breast, 

" Making thy way my rest, 
" And thy small quantities my length, 
(t Which spread their forces into ev'ry part, 

tf Meeting sin's force and art." 

Does not this, figure out the design of Christ in the sacrament 
of his Supper P Does your soul hunger ?— here is spiritual 
bread ; come and partake of it. Does your soul thirst and 
droop ? — here is spiritual drink, a rich cordial ; come, sa- 
tiate your thirst ; come, cheer your heart with the love of 
Christ. Have you strength enough for every duty, and 
against every temptation? Is your faith strong ? Are your 
hopes firm and bright ? Does your heart burn with divine 
love f Are your comforts lively ? Is all within as you would 
have it ? If not, come where all supplies are freely exhibited ; 
where you may eat and be strengthened ; may drink and for- 
get your sorrows. Do you say ?— I intend coming to the sa- 
cred feast some time, but fear I am not yet duly prepared for 
it. But if you come some time, why not now : Would you 
come when you have more strength, or when you have less r 
This feast is not for those who are full, but for the hungry. 
It is for those who know that the}' are { wretched, and mi- 
serable, and poor, and blind, and naked/ Are not you one 
of these r What preparation would you make ? Does the 
Master of the feast expect a present at your bands r Yes, he 
does : — c The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit ; a broken 
and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.' Come, 
yield yourself unto God. * Come, join yourself to the Lord, 
in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.' Is it 
nothing to have a whole Christ freely exhibited to you, even 
Christ with all the benefits and blessings of his purchase f 



JEt. 55. OF IMPROVEMENT UNDER AFFLICTION. 273 

Certainly, it is that on which your soul-prosperity much de- 
pends. Does Christ say — ' These things I have said unto 
you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may 
be full ?' — and may not this with great propriety be applied 
to his institution of his Supper ? Therefore, as you value 
growth, establishment, and perseverance in grace ; as you 
value 'joy and peace in believing ;' celebrate the memorials of 
a dying Saviour, the all-sufficient friend of sinners. It is 
because I greatly desire your edification and comfort, that 
these things are thus proposed to you by your, &c. 

J. W. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT UNDER 
AFFLICTION. 

To his daughter Esther. 

Winchcomb, November 5, 1747. 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

I thank you for your letter, but feel concern on account 
of your state of health. Let it be your first care to eye the 
hand of God therein. Not only should you ' acknowledge 
him in all your ways/ but likewise in all the blessings you 
enjoy, and the afflictions you endure. l Affliction cometh 
not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the 
ground/ What beauty and propriety are here ! It is not 
without a constant, regular interposition of a divine provi- 
dence, that you partake of your common mercies ; but af- 
fliction and trouble are brought about by special acts of 
providence. I hope you are one of God's children. It is 
* if need be/ when they ( are in heaviness/ He chastens 
them for their profit, for * he doth not afflict willingly/ nor 
delight to l grieve the children of men.' He expects them 
neither to c despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint 
when they are rebuked of him.' They despise his chasten- 
ing, who do not humble themselves under his mighty hand, 
or inquire—' Wherefore contendest thou with me t Humble 

T 



274 OF IMPROVEMENT UNDER AFFLICTION. 1747. 

souls will ask their own hearts — What is amiss ? and—What 
has been so ? in their temper or conduct, which the Lord 
would have them to correct by his visitation. Let me en- 
deavour to assist you in your soliloquy : — 

I am sensible it is not by chance that I now languish 
under this disorder. I do believe my blessed Saviour hath 
a gracious design in it. He is the Physician of my soul as 
well as my body, and knows the most suitable remedy for 
my spiritual maladies. It much concerns me to learn the 
true meaning of this visitation, and to remove its cause, lest, 
if these gentle strokes fail, I provoke him to encrease the 
chastisement. May I not, in some measure, read my sin 
in my punishment I This sickness changes my xountenance * 
have I not been too proud of its comeliness? Are not read- 
ing, hearing, meditation, prayer and praise, irksome to me t 
Have I not been too negligent, and too formal in those 
duties? Praying as though I prayed not, the coldness of 
my request may oft have procured its denial I Alasf too 
often have I risen from my knees before my heart was warm 
in the duty. Have I heard, as for eternity - T carefully ap^ 
plying the word, whether it were for conviction, caution^ 
counsel, or comfort ; and mixed faith and prayer with the 
word preached ? Have I hid God's word in my heart, and 
daily meditated thereon ? And, has my heart gone before 
my voice in singing his high praises ? I have been lately 
at London. There I saw much of the pomp and splendour 
of this world. Was I not, in some measure, inclined to be 
' conformed to the world/ and was it not higher in my esti- 
mation, and more my desire, than to be ' transformed by the 
renewing of my mind' ? It is kind then, in God to give me 
so soon, a sensible conviction of how little this world can 
do for me. Happy they who live above the world, beifig 
called by grace out of the world ; whose * treasure' is ' in 
heaven/ and whose * conversation is in heaven, from 
whence also they look for the Saviour L' 



JEt. 06. REJOICING IN A FRIEND'S EARLY PIETY. 275 

Thus, ' commune with your own heart', and ' accomplish 
a diligent search' : and what your conscience may accuse 
you of, humbly confess and amend, and fly to Jesus for 
pardon and strength. This is the best regimen, and is pre- 
scribed by the great Physician. What a sweet consideration 
is it, that though a child of God accepts of every chastise- 
ment as the reward of sin/yet our heavenly Father ' will not 
alway chide ; neither will he keep his anger for ever.' Be 
careful then, that in the dispensations of his rod, you ' re- 
ceive not the grace of God in vain', and rest assured that 
these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, shall 
work for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
glory.' Such is the tenor of my daily prayers for you, and 
it is now my earnest request that you do daily offer up like 

supplications for your affectionate parent, 

J. W. 

REJOICING IN A FRIEND'S EARLY PIETY. 

To Miss Wilkinson. 

Kidderminster, December 12, 1747. 

DEAR MISS, 

I remember still that you were once my charge. Though 
I cannot say — ' I have begotten you through the gospel/ yet 
the share an indulgent Providence allowed me therein, af- 
fords me many a delightful reflection. How transporting is 
the hope I have, that no less than seven young souls under 
my roof have been born, in a spiritual sense, within the 
space of two or three years ! It is the life of my life. I have, 
indeed, growing hopes, that every child of mine is a child of 
God, and every servant of mine (I mean domestic servants) 
is a servant of Christ, besides two other persons who were 
only sojourners* with me, ' and I do and will rejoice therein.' 
It is more to me, than all that outward prosperity with which 

'* Herself, and a Miss Birkett. See December 24, 1748. 
T 2 



^•'0$ BfiJOiOIN© IN A FRIEND* S EARLY FIETY. 1747-?> 

it hath pleased my bountiful Lord to bless me. And are 
you, dear Miss, of that happy number ? You will never 
be able to pay the mighty debt of gratitude and love you owe 
to Him l who hath saved you, and called you with a holy 

I calling/ Do but consider what you were when he first be- 

gan to 'draw you to himself with bands of love.' At that 
time ' you were dead in trespasses and sins,' * without Christ/ 
' having no" well-grounded * hope, and without God in the 
world.' Gould you change your own heart ? Did every 
one who heard the same word, which was made effectual to 
your awakening, so • hear the voice of the Son of God/ as 
to e live' a new life I Why were you made to hear it ? l As 
many as' receive Christ, ' and believe on his name/ are 
* born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the 
will of man, but of God/ i Of his own will begat he us by 
the word of truth/ ' Where is boasting then ? It is ex- 
cluded/ What praise- is due to him, who ' hath quickened 
you together with Christ,' and * saved you by grace !' Oh ! 
the blessedness, to be rescued from eternal misery, to which 
we were doomed, and to be advanced to the dignity of children 
of God, and the heirs of an incorruptible crown. Imagine you 
have seen a condemned malefactor in his chains for execution^ 
whose downcast looks excited pity in every beholder. Ima- 
gine again, that you saw this piteous spectacle released from 
prison, his fetters knocked off, stripped of his prison-gar- 
ments, 'arrayed in vestures of scarlet and fine linen/ adorned 
with the royal' ring, and a golden chain about his neck, 
made to ride in the second chariot/ as Joseph, or in the third, 
as Daniel, ' and made ruler over all the land;' then, you 
will have a faint idea of what sovereign grace hath, I trust, 
done for you. Does not all this engage you to a life of gra- 
titude and self-denying obedience? For, as this was the 
price of blood, the blood of the king's son, how great are 
your obligations to the Ransomer of your soul ! When I 



.Et. 56. PROCRASTINATION REPREHENDED. 277 

think of such love to my own soul, alas ! how languid are 
my returns of love, how feeble my essays of praise ! Mon- 
strous ingratitude i 

" Were it not common, would not this be strange ? 

* That 'tis so common, this is stranger still." 

Young. 

My dear Madam, suffer no estrangement betwixt God and 
your soul. Be jealous of whatever may damp your love to, 
or enervate your faith in Jesus. f Pray without ceasing.* 
Let the clock be your monitor to ascend on high on wings 
of faith, and in flames of love, as the cock to Peter, when 
he f went out and wept bitterly/ The sacred flame must be 
fanned, or it will be choaked with ashes. Often warm your 
heart in pious conversation with experienced Christians. 
1 Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation.' Bear 
me upon your thoughts in your best moments. Assure your- 
self, that though you are far distant, you yet are frequently 
remembered by, dear Miss, yours, &c. 

J. W. 

PROCRASTINATION REPREHENDED. 

To his nephew Watson.* 

Kidderminster, January 20, 17^8. 

DEAR COUSIN, 

God has given us understanding to discern the folly of 
procrastination, if we would but consider Alas ! however, 
we have always something else to do ; some scheme in view, 
or business in hand which seems to claim prior attention to; 
our best interests. When shall we be wise for eternity in 
proportion to the importance of eternal over temporal affairs ! 
When will the different application of our minds to these 
things, be proportioned to the different estimate our cooler 
judgments, in a serious hour, make of one and the other ! 
Nothing but the fear of God will drive us, or the love of 

* Then at Kendal, on a journey. 

t3 



;| 






fit' 



378 'CHARITY ENVIETH NOT/ 1748. 

Christ draw us to due consideration. Oh ! could we say, as 

I know one who could — " Blessed Jesus ! is there l fulness* 

in thee ? then am I sure to be a partaker of it. I feel the 

quickening influences of thy love, and I find it to be stronger 

than death, and more insatiable than the grave. What will 

it be to see thee ' face to face V What to feast through 

eternal ages on the communications and displays of thy love 

and grace ! What, to J behold thy face in righteousness/ 

and to i awake with thy likeness !' < Come, Lord Jesus, 

come quickly."— Dear cousin, rest as much assured as ever 

of a fast friend in your loving uncle, 

J.W. 

' CHARITY ENVIETH NOT,' 

Concerning a Rival in Trade. 

January 20, 1748. Be not at all dissatisfied, that Mr.— 

is before me, or that he obtained some orders I should have 
had, if I had been before him. The great Householder car- 

eth for all the families of the earth, and Mr. hath a 

family to provide for as well as I. It is all for the best. It 
is as Providence, unerring Providence, hath appointed, who 
never mistakes the interests of his children. The Holy Spi- 
rit says — e Be careful for nothing :' ' I would have you with- 
out carefulness :' i Casting all your care upon him, for he 
careth for you :' let this be the governing temper of my 
mind. Leave it every day to the great and wise Disposer to 
deal out to me that measure of success in business he sees 
best for me. Be not only willing, but desirous he should 
choose for me. Receive disappointments, as well as pros- 
perity, with thankfulness to Him who sees a mixture of both 

best for me. Labour to love Mr. as myself, and enjoy 

his prosperity. Envy hurts none but the envious. Let not 
a thought of envy find place in my heart. God is doing 
his people good oftentimes, when they are ready to say, with 
good old Jacob — < All these things are against me/ 



. LV.5(3.RECEIVINGTHE LORD'S SUPPER,CONSIDERED. 279 

OBJECTIONS TO RECEIVING THE LORD'S SUPPER, 
CONSIDERED. 

To his nephew Watson. 

Kidderminster, January Si, 1748. 
DEAR COUSIN, 
Your objections against your coming to the Lord's table are 
— The general vanity of your mind, contrary to all your desires 
and resolutions ; and, the more particular distracting situa- 
tion you are now in. But, if you must not partake of the 
Lord's Supper, till you can do it ' without distraction,' is not 
this an ' offending against the generation of God's children V 
According to this, I have been an unworthy communicant 
thirty-six years. Besides, is not God as really displeased 
with our distractions in prayer, as at the Lord's table ? Would 
it : not be a high affront to King George, if, while you were 
petitioning him for your life, or any great favour, you should 
stop every now and then, and turn away from him, to listen 
to the buzzing of a fly, or to stare at the company ? Is it less 
displeasing to the Majesty of heaven; first, to be solemnly 
invocated to ' bow the heavens and come down' to listen to 
your humble cry ; and presently, to see you turn your back 
on him, break off the thread of your address to him, and at- 
tend to every trifle that comes into your mind ? But, will 
you therefore, leave off prayer? I know you abhor the 
the thought. Yes ! you are sorry that it is so ; you are 
grieved that you cannot ' attend upon the Lord without dis- 
traction ;' and you gladly fly to the blood of atonement ' for 
mercy to pardon' your unallowed infirmities. Yet, let me 
tell you, you may as justly 'restrain prayer before God/ as 
neglect to commemorate the dying love of a dear Redeemer, 
because you cannot do it clear of distractions. You seem, 
indeed, aware of such a consequence, and in order to obviate 
it, you intimate, that you never expect to be in such a situa- 
tion as to be free from wandering thoughts : but you also 
seem to intimate, that there is something in the wandering 

T 4 



280 RECEIVING THE LORD'S SUPPER; CONSIDERED. 1748. 

thoughts occasioned by a love-affair more peculiarly unfitting 
for the Lord's Supper, than in those which spring from other 
sources : — I can assure you, from my own experience, that 
there is no such thing. Were yours a criminal amour, had you 
any dishonourable intention in prosecuting it, your reasoning 
on that head would hold : but, as the consummation of it, 
which you are seeking and longing after, is an ordinance of 
God, and instituted in Paradise ; and, as the object of your 
wishes appears every way worthy of them ; there is no more 
reason for your being ashamed of it, or conscious of any 
guilt on that score, than for your being ashamed of any other 
lawful business. Yet most young people,I believe, are haunted 
with a kind of conscious shame in such prosecutions, and it 
seems to be wrought into our very nature. Milton repre- 
sents Eve, in her state of innocence, as not entirely free from 
it:— 

<e She heard me thus, and, though divinely brought, 

" Yet innocence, and virgin modesty, 

" Her virtue, and the conscience of her worth, 

" That would be woo'd, and not unsought be won : 

(C Not obvious, not obtrusive ; but retir'd ; 

iC The more desirable: Or, to say all, 

ic Nature herself, though pure of sinful thought, 

" Wrought in her so, that seeing me she turn'd." 

Now, lay all these things together, and then tell me, why an 
honourable love-affair should any more, or any more perni- 
ciously, distract the mind, and unfit it for the nearest ap- 
proaches to God, than our six days' work. Nay, I can as- 
sure you, from my own experience, that worldly cares, the 
cares of a family, which are common to all men, have some- 
times been more distracting to my mind in converse with 
God, than courtship, though mine was attended with much 
greater difficulty than yours. I rejoice, that you can say— ^ 
you can appeal to him i who knows all things/ that you ar- 



A?t. 56. A NATIONAL FAST. 281 

dently desire to love him, and can look back oir. the time, 
when all sin became odious to you, even your greatest bur- 
den. What though you have not that full assurance of your 
interest in Christ, which you desire : no more, had I, titt 
fourteen years after I was a communicant. The means of 
attaining it, is to wait on the Lord in his own way, and ex- 
pect it in his time. The more you feel the love of Christ, 
the less you will doubt your love to him. The way to feel 
more of his love, is to wait on him there, where his love is 
most sensibly displayed, where by sensible signs he is freefy 
offered, nay, given to you, even Christ with all his benefits. . 
Fix your resolution now, never to be altered, that you will 
take the first opportunity of publicly i giving yourself to the 
Lord, and unto his people by the will of God/ Your pros- 
perity for both worlds will much augment the joy of your 

assured friend, and servant for Jesus' sake, 

J. W. 

A NATIONAL FAST, 

Wednesday, February 17> 1748. O my soul, the govern- 
ment God hath set over us, hath proclaimed a fast. This is 
the day set apart and appointed to be kept with fasting and 
prayer. Consider now, O my soul, how I ought to keep it ; 
or, ' what is the fast the Lord hath chosen f* We, of these 
kingdoms, are a very sinful, God-provoking people. AH 
ranks of men among us are become degenerate. We have 
apparently been growing worse. It is a most profligate, de- 
generate age in which we live. ' Iniquity hath abounded' 
long. Religion is at a very low ebb among its professors. 
'The love of many waxeth cold.' Should I not 'cry and 
sigh for all the abominations that be done in the midst of us r* 
Should not ' my soul weep in secret places' for the preva- 
lence of ' pride' and luxury, and all that wickedness practised 
in the land ? And, should I not be deeply humbled for my 
•own sins in particular ? In order to which, should I not 
bring my heart 2nd life under a strict and impartial examina* 



282 REFLECTIONS ON SPRING AN© AUTUMN. 1748. 

tion, that I may discover what Is the plague of my heart, and 
may put away whatever is evil from me ? This is 'the fast 
that the Lord hath chosen — to loose the bands of wickedness, 
to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free ; 7 
that we ' break every yoke ;' and ? deal' our ' bread to the 
hungry.' The Lord help me to keep such a fast, that if 
* wrath be gone forth from the Lord, and evil be determined 
against this land/ I may at least f deliver' my own soul. 

REFLECTIONS ON SPRING AND AUTUMN. 

To his Wife. 

Bristol, April 9, 1748. 

MY DEAREST, 

It is pleasant to survey the works of nature; to observe 
new life stirring in the vegetable world, and its glorious Au- 
thor blessing the springing thereof. Every tree, hedge, and 
bush is budding, or shooting forth its leaves ; and some of 
them begin to display their blossoms ; beds of primroses 
skirt many of the banks, and bespangle the bosoms of others; 
while a universal verdure makes the fields and meadows look 
young again. How many quickening reflections should such 
a scene suggest to me ! Shall my immortal spirit be dull 
and dead, or inactive, whilst inanimate nature is operative 
in a thousand forms ? Even the grass, which hath no culti- 
vation, springs and shoots out its spires ; and shall I, who 
enjoy so many and rich advantages for improvement, be like 
a barren clod ? Even the birds, who know nothing of their 
Creator and Preserver, warble forth his praises ; and shall I 
be silent in his praise, who know him, or rather am known of 
him, and am conscious of benefits and obligations so innu- 
merable ? Very different was the scene which presented it- 
self in my last journey in October and November. Old age 
was then far advanced upon the various tribes of the vegeta- 
ble kingdom, and death was extending its vast empire all 
around. Millions of leaves were fallen, or falling, into the 



jEt.56. VISITING, A SNARE TO PIETY. 583 

lap of mother-earth, which, shortly, shall receive you and nie. 
Is it a melancholy thought ! No ; let but faith draw the veil 
aside, and the thought is joyful. As surely as I now behold 
a kind of resurrection in the works of nature, so surely shall 
these bodies arise from the grave. The sapless leaf is fallen 
and perished, and fresh buds fill and adorn every spray : so 
surely shall this < corruptible' ' put on incorruptiou, and this 
mortal' shall ' put on immortality.' Let us not fear to go 
down into the grave. He that raised up the Lord Jesus from 
the dead, shall certainly raise up us also by him. Nor, let 
us fear to trust our souls, our immortal interests with him 
1 who died for us, and rose again.' As the sun with its genial 
beams is now cheering and invigorating all nature, and draw- 
ing forth its germinative powers, so shall our souls be draw- 
ing fresh supplies from the Sun of righteousness, and be 'go- 
ing from strength to strength/ Let us meet daily before the 
Throne, till through adorable grace we ascend thither. My 
love to every child, servant, relation, and friend. * Walk in 
love, as Christ also hath loved us.' I am, my dearest, yours 

most affectionately, 

J. W. 

VISITING, A SNARE TO PIETY. 

To his daughter Hanbury.* 

Kidderminster, June 9; 1748. 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

It is not the bodily health and cheerfulness, and out- 
ward prosperity of my children, that I principally look at. 
Bear with me if I entertain a degree of jealousy concerning 
the temper of your mind. You are now in a state of leisure, 
and among friends, who will do all in their power to render 
your stay with them easy and cheerful : but, are there not 
snares attending every state, and particularly that you are 
now in ? The cares of a family are attended with one kind of 
snares ; leisure, inaction, and obliging regard of friends, with 

* Then on a visit m Gloucester. 






1 



*S84 CAUTION AND COUNSEL ENFORCED. 1748. 

another kind. For my part, I have always found friendly vi- 
sits and engagements had a tendency, for a time, to loosen 
my regards for my best Friend and best interests. Such is 
the weakness of our minds, we can attend but to one thing 
at a time ; and so contrary is the spisit of the world to the 
Spirit of God, and the interests of the world to the interests 
of Christ, that while we are siudious to please and oblige, 
and make ourselves agreeeble to our friends, we naturally 
have our hearts and affections drawn off from God. I do not 
say this, because I would save )ou otherwise than easy and 
cheerful, and obliging, among your friends. ■ Nay, I really 
think it is yourd-ty, in pres ui circumstances, to cherish and 
cultivate a cheerful temper, and dismiss carefulness and anx- 
iety : it may, as means, conduce much to the recovering of 
your health and strength. There is ( a time to laugh, and a 
time to dance/ as well as ' a time to weep, and a time to 
mourn/ Yet, beware of too much levity, lest your heart 
should be thereby e tranged from God and religion. It will 
require you to be much upon your guard. Spend as much 
time as you conveniently can in secret :' Commune with your 
own heart:* ' Converse with God in Christ: Every hour at 
least, and in whatever company, be lifting up your soul to God : 
By diese means your cheerfulness will be the more decent and 
womanly. I know not whether you thought of it, to take a 
Pocket Companion with you, and therefore I have sent you 
one. That you may be under the protection and blessing of 
the Almighty, and that the ■ grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ* 
may ' be with your spirit/ is and shall be the prayer of your 
affectionate father, J. W» 



CAUTION AND COUNSEL ENFORCED. 
To his daughter Kirkpatrick. 

Kidderminster, July 29, 1748, 

MY DEAR ESTHER, 

The original letter of which I send you a copy, came to 



JEt. 56. CAUTION AND COUNSEL £NFOBCEJ3. $85 

Land on Wednesday.* As your good uncle, was solicitous to 
present you with his congratulations and good advice, on the 
first opportunity, I thought the regard I owe him, as well as 

Taunton, July 25, 1748. 

* DEAR COUSIN, 

What surprising news has reached me this morning ! That a niece of 
mine should be married, and I not hear of the courtship, is what I should 
never have supposed : but strange things happen; and since this is as 
true as strange, I make all possible haste to wish you joy on this agree- 
able occasion. Believe me, I do it in the most sincere and ardent man- 
ner : and as it is not possible that you can now experience any joy with- 
out wishing Mr. Kirkpatrick to share it, I wish albo, that you may be 
unisons in all conjugal satisfaction, since Providence has made you one 
by virtue of this relation. 

You may expect me to congratulate you in a peculiar manner on your 
being married into an affluence of the things of this world. I assure you 
I am not so much a Stoic as to be insensible, nor so much a Cynic as 
not to pay a proper respect to the possessors of them ; but it affords me 
infinitely greater comfort to learn that the gentleman to whom you are 
married is a good man. Indeed, were he not so, but vain, gay, carnal, as 
is too often the case with the rich ; your uncle would have been in dan- 
ger of mingling his tears with your laughter. ' I have seen an end of all 
perfection;' and have found that pleasure of every kind, which is not 
consistent with, or founded on religion, will be bitterness at last. You, 
my dear cousin, have, I trust, had a clear conviction that the favours 
and smiles of the Most High alone, through a precious Redeemer, yield 
a real satisfaction. Put yourself, therefore, solemnly under the divine 
^protection. Tntreat the Lord, with earnestness, to keep you humble. Cor- 
rupt nature is too apt to shew itself in pride, on a sudden flow of riches. 
The best circumstance belonging to the possession of riches is, that it af- 
fords a glorious opportunity of doing good. They who only employ their 
wealth in a carnal way, will be found to be unfaithful stewards and will 
\vish they had never had it. I have known, I am sorry to say, many good 
people evidently the worse for riches. Do you, my dear niece, conduct 
yourself so that you and Mr. Kirkpatrick may both hereafter adore the 
providence, that through so many intricacies, led you from such a dis- 
tance, into each other's embraces. Mrs. P. joins in congratulations to you 
.and Mr. K. wit,h my dear, your affectionate uncle and servant, 

R. Pearsalj.. 



w 



THE DESPONDING CHRISTIAN COMFORTED. 1/48* 

which hath foundations/ and towards those { mansions' Jesus 
is gone before 'to prepare/ Take the first opportunity to 
perfume your closet with the sweet incense of daily prayers 
and praises. I am persuaded that you dare not live in the 
neglect of closet-duties, but I know you will find this to be 
a time of great temptation ; bear with me, therefore, when 
' I stir up your mind by way of remembrance.' We met 
this day, to return thanks to God for a remarkable answer 
to the prayers we offered up, this day fortnight, on behalf of 
Mr. Benjamin Lea's wife, who began to recover from the 
very hour of prayer, and was present on this occasion. How 
much should such experiences animate our faith in a prayer- 
hearing God, and confirm our resolution to ' call upon him 
as long as we live !' On this occasion also, yourself, your 
partner, and fellow-travellers, were had in remembrance be- 
fore God. Farewell, my dear, and know that you wrong 
me if you think of me otherwise thau as your most affection^ 
ate father, 

J. W. 

THE DESPONDING CHRISTIAN COMFORTED. 
To Mr, Barnabas Richards, 

Kidderminster, August 21, 1 748. 

DEAR BROTHER, 

May he that was ' anointed with the Spirit of the Lord to 
bind up the broken-hearted,' direct me to speak a word in 
season to you. Your complaints run thus : — " I cannot find 
that the word of God hath effectually touched me. I know I 
have ' an evil heart of unbelief,' but am not feelingly sensible 
of it. I see reason to fear the worst, but this fear is not pre* 
valent. I am dull and dead, formal and supine in the most 
solemn duties, and under the most awakening sermons. My 
heart is most lifeless in seasons the most enlivening. So far 
am I from * serving God in spirit and in truth,' that I can 
scarcely serve him even with my lips ; oftentimes addressing 



tf£Y.56. THE DESPONDING CHRISTIAN COMFORTED. 389 

him with words without a heart ; at other times with neither 
words nor heart. And when I think on these things, I con- 
clude myself to be in a very bad state." 

Were this really the judgment of God concerning your 
temper and state, I too should think you in a very bad state. 
I am glad it is only your own judgment. You are 'judging 
yourself/ that you may ' not be judged/ Now, give me leave 
to 'judge you out of your own mouth/ not what your final 
state is, but by the nature and tendency of your complaints, 
from what principle they flow ; and whether it be not possible 
that you are forming a wrong judgment of your state. Sup- 
pose you should hear me say — " My head aches much, or 
my stomach is very sick, but I do not feel it :" suppose at 
the same time, you were convinced that I enjoyed a right 
exercise of my senses : what would you think of me ? I will 
not flatter you : I really think your state is not such as it 
should be, nor such as ought to be rested in. After all the 
sense you have of your own sinfulness and weakness in your- 
self, and absolute need of a Saviour, you have not yet ( come 
to him labouring and heavy laden/ If you had, these com- 
plaints would have been in some measure at an end ; for, 
to such as come to him he hath promised * rest unto their 
souls/ What he hath promised, he will certainly perform. 
Accordingly, the apostle says — ' We which have believed, do 
enter/ or, as I think it should be rendered, are entered * into 
rest/ It seems to me, you are not brought to such a degree of 
1 poverty of spirit/ as to see your own nothingness and insuf- 
ficiency ; to be emptied of self and all self-confidence. Or, 
if you have, yet you have not seen ' the fulness that is in 
Christ/ a fulness of every divine perfection — a fulness of 
merit, 'of compassion, and of goodness : for if you had, you 
would rest upon the Saviour, and upon his immutable pro* 
mise, how much soever you find matters out of order in your- 
elf. You would believe, that ' he came not to call the righte- 

U 






£90 THE DESPONDING CHRISTIAN COMFORTED. If48 
ous, but sinners to repentance ;' and, as a sinner, you would 
come to him, lay hold on him, and put in your claim to all the 
blessings of his purchase. Though your state is not such as I 
could wish, yet I cannot pronounce it bad. Though you seem 
not yet to have i found the pearl of great price/ it is plain you 
are seeking after it, and the promise is — ' Seek, and you shall 
find/ When you say—" I would fain have such an inward 
principle of grace, that my duty should become my real de- 
light, and it should be as natural for me to serve and love God, 
as it is to eat and drink ;" the meaning is, you would fain 
serve God better, and be more entirely free from corruption 
and sin, from backwardness to duty, and dulness in it, than 
any man upon earth. He who * spake as never man spake/ 
says of this temper of mind — ' Blessed are they which do hun- 
ger and thirst after righteousness/ He scruples not to pro» 
nounce such blessed, who have an unfeigned sorrow for past 
sins, Who earnestly desire the mercy of God in Christ for 
pardon and sanctification, who are displeased with their own 
doubting and unbelief, and desire to believe in God through 
Christ. They are blessed ; for the time draws near, when they 
shall have plenty of faith, and assurance of the mercy of God 
in Christ Jesus,— c for they shall be filled/ Their present de- 
sires are the motions of God's Spirit, and the true pledges of 
liis grace : they are the beginnings of that ' faith/ of which 
Christ is 'the author and finisher/ Certainly, 'he which 
hath begun a good work in you, will perform it/ will perfect 
and complete it, ' until the day of Jesus Christ/ If you 
would have 'joy and peace in believing/ you must be 'wretch- 
ed, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked^ in your 
own eyes. In such a temper go to Christ, and take him at 
his word. If you delay till your apprehensions of spiritual 
things, your humiliation for sin, your zeal and fervour of de- 
votion, your faith, and hope, and love, be such as you would 
have them to be, let me tell you, you will never go to Christ 
at all : but if, under a sense of your pollution and poverty,. 



Mt.5§. ACOMPARISON OF WORLDLY CIRCUMSTANCES.QQl 

your guilt and unprofitableness, you will go to him, repent- 
ing, and believing, for every thing you want, he will not 'send 
you away empty/ Do you want to ' be converted' and ' born 
again ?' go and tell him — he hath promised to ' give you a 
new heart/ and ' put within you a new spirit/ Do you 
want faith ? cry to him — ' Lord, help mine unbelief / 'Lord, 
increase my faith/ Do you want repentance ? plead how 
' God hath exalted him, to give repentance and forgiveness 
of sins/ Do you want love ? Can plants and flowers go up 
to the sun for cheering rays to make them spring and flou- 
rish ? no ; but the sun can visit them with genial beams : 
and is not Christ the Sun of righteousness ? Go to him 
with this very complaint — Lord, I want to love thee, but I 
cannot : I would fain love thee more fervently than I love 
any mortal object, but I cannot make my love ascend: Lord, 
thou canst ' shed abroad thy love in my heart/ and then I 
shall not fail to reflect thy own beams. My dear brother, if 
you think to get love to Christ any other way than by prayer 
for his love to you, you will be mistaken. It is not so much 
what you have done for Christ, as what Christ hath done for 
you, that must lay the foundation, and raise the superstruc- 
ture too, of your comfort and joy : but, what need I enlarge 
to you, who enjoy much better helps ? I am, dear Sir, your 

affectionate brother, 

J. W. 

A COMPARISON OF WORLDLY CIRCUMSTANCES. 

To his daughter Kirkpatric/c. 

Kidderminster, August 24, 1748. 

MY DEAR ESTHER, 

This is the anniversary of my wedding-day ; a day thank- 
fully to be remembered by me. The psalmist says — ' A 
thousand years in the sight of God are but as yesterday when 
it is past, and as a watch in the night/ Really, the last 
twenty-nine years are, in the retrospect, but a very small por- 

u 2 



§Q<2. A COMPARISON OF WORLDLY CIRCUMSTANCES. 174& 

tion of time, in my esteem : and will not twenty-nine future 
years as quickly roll over your head, should your life be so 
far prolonged ! May they be crowned with mercies as mine 
have been, and more abundantly : and if your future years 
be filled with their proper duty, it will not matter whether 
they be many or few. Though mine was as surely fixed in 
the decrees of Providence as your own, yet by how different 
methods were we led on to our marriage-days. Fo» more 
than three years after I had chosen, and was approved by, 
the object of my wishes, thorns and briers in a long succes- 
sion obstructed my way, while clouds and darkness hung 
over my head. You have had nothing to do but to observe 
the e pillar of a cloud and fire/ which marked out for you a 
lucid, a smooth, and a straight path ! Yet I know not which 
of us is under the greater obligation to be thankful, for I 
quickly saw, and more clearly since, that the remone, or 
hindrances I met with, saved me from ruin. What a differ- 
ence too, in worldly circumstances ! Our beginning was 
small ; yours is opulent : but still I am uncertain on which 
side the advantage lies, considering how much our ' latter 
end' has increased. Our strait circumstances rendered us 
unable to perform such acts of generosity and charity as your 
plenteous circumstances require you to abound in : thus our 
usefulness was more limited, but a disposition for pride and 
luxury was restrained in us, while you are exposed to more 
danger. I much prefer a competency, with humility, to great 
abundance and a haughty spirit. In this consideration of the 
different tendencies, of different circumstances I would excite 
you, as well as myself, to much circumspection, humility, and 
thankfulness. My hope is strong, that the fear and love of 
God have such an influence on your heart, as to regulate 
your speech, and your actions, the general frame of your 
mind, and the conduct of your life. I daily commit you to 
' Him that is able to keep you from falling/ because I am 
your kindly affectionate father^ J. W. 



jEt.od. ADVICE TO A NEWLY-MARRIED PAIR. 393 

ADVICE TO A NEWLY-MARRIED PAIR. 

To his son and daughter, James and Esther Kirkpatrkk. 
Kidderminster, September 5, 1748. 

MY DEAR CHILDREN, 

But first to my new relative : I trust that kind Providence 
which directed your way into Worcestershire, and so remark- 
ably led you into new connections, has also conducted you 
and your companions safely to Newport, Though it has 
been to me a costly sacrifice, I doubt not your heart is filled 
with exultation on the occasion. You have received many 
congratulations, and every day fresh incense is offered. You 
look on your other self with love and delight, and have pleas- 
ing thoughts of encreasing happiness as days and years ad- 
vance. You do well. It is expected that ' the bridegroom'' 
should 'rejoice over the bride.' The wisest of mere men 
seems to be not ironical when he directs to f live joyfully with 
the wife whom thou l'ovest all the days of the life of thy va- 
nity, which he hath given thee under the sun/ ' for that is 
thy portion/ or the quintessence of thy happiness ' in this 
life, and in the labour which thou labourest' (as it is in the 
Septuagint) ' under the sun. May your joy be abiding and* 
increasing ! This I say, however, • rejoice with trembling/ 
for ' the time is short/ and ' it remaineth, that' * they that 
have wives be as though they had none / * for the fashion of 
this world passeth away :' that is, rejoice as one who consi- 
ders the mutability of all earthly things ; as one who is daily 
deriving his most exalted pleasure from that Fountain which 
is inexhaustible, while creature-streams are liable to fail, and 
the sweetest of them to be tinged with bitterness. Perhaps 
your present circumstances may not improperly be compared 
*ith divine Herbert's, who, after his conversion, thus sings : — 

* l At first thou gav'st me milk and sweetnesses ; 
<( I had my wish and way : 
U 3 



294 ADVICE TO A NEWLY-MAETtlED PAHt. 1748, 

" My days were straw'd with flow'rs and happiness ; 

" There was no month but May. 
u But with my years sorrow did twist and grow, 
" And made a party unawares for woe." 

But, under all the vicissitudes of life, this may be your con- 
solation — ' all things work together for good to them that love 
God.' You may in future years see reason to be as thank- 
ful for the bitters as for the sweets of life, and to bless a tak- 
ing as well as a giving God. This, I assure you, has been 
the case with me through the whole of my life. 

And now to my dear Esther: Presuming that you are by 
this time settled in your new abode, I congratulate you on 
being surrounded with blessings. The Lord hath dealt very 
bountifully with you. He hath given you, unless I be so 
mistaken as I never was yet, one of the kindest and best of 
husbands, and made you the subordinate head of a family of 
good repute ; and what the world can contribute towards 
comfort and satisfaction, is, in a sense, at your command. 
These are talents committed to you for improvement, and the 
possession of which cannot be entered on with too much care, 
diffidence, and holy jealousy. Impress your mind deeply with 
this sentiment — that none of these things are your absolute 
propriety. You are but as a steward over them, or as a tenant 
at Will, and may be quickly dispossessed ; therefore, what 
you may wish when you come to die, that you had done, up 
and be doing now with all your might. Be careful of doing 
any thing that will not bear the most mature deliberation and 
the coolest reflection. My dear child, I hope well of you : 
I hope you ' have tasted that the Lord is gracious.' There- 
fore, though surrounded with temporal blessings, you cannot 
fail to hunger and thirst after Christ. You will find in him a 
perfect suitability to your wants and necessities. Live then, 
by faith upon him, and in due time you will ascend after him 
to glory. 



Mt. 56. THE HAPPINESS OF LIVING BY FAITH. 29^ 

As my time is limited, I can only add, that I am, my dear 
children, your faithful monitor and truly affectionate father, 

J.W, 

THE HAPPINESS OF LIVING BY FAITH. 

To Miss Wilkinson. 

Kidderminster, September 24, 1748. 

DEAR MISS, 

I often call to mind Dr. Preston's excellent advice — 
u Not to make those things necessary to our happiness, which 
we may possibly be deprived of." This is the glorious pri- 
vilege of them, who have chosen God for their ' portion'— that 
their portion is always present, and that it is not in the 
power of any thing to deprive them of it. With the great 
apostle, they may triumph — ' that neither death, nor life, nor 
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor 
things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other crea- 
ture, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which 
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.' They may be tortured with 
pain, emaciated by sickness, reduced to poverty, imprisoned, 
or captives in a strange land, and torn away from the em- 
braces of the nearest partners of their blood ; but still their 
4 portion' abides with them ; a present God, an all-sufficient 
Saviour, can and will support them in and under all. Nothing 
can make us happy in the absence of such a friend ; nothing 
can make us miserable in his presence. Who would not covet, 
who would not cultivate such a friendship ! I am glad to see 
your last letter breathe so much of such a spirit. I am glad you 
have been taught to seek ' rest' in Christ alone ; not merely in 
religious exercises, however desirable as appointed means. 
Our tempers vary ; our comforts ebb and flow ; if we rest in 
these, we must be restless : but ' Christ' is ' the same, yesterday, 
and to-day, and for ever.' Sooner ' shall heaven and earth pass 
away,' than one ' word' of his fall to the ground. Build your 

u 4 



296 WISE CHILDREN MAKE GLAD PARENTS. 1748. 

hopes upon his promise, and all the artillery ofhell shall not 
be able to shake them. Stand upon this rock, and you will 
' be as mount Zion :' but, if you trust in your own frame, in 
your own sensations,you will be 'like a reed shaken with every 
wind' of temptation. How hardly are we brought to this — ta 
trust in the promise alone, or rather in the Promiser ! How 
many pious, but trembling souls have I known, and now know, 
whose judgment is convinced that God in Christ is the ulti- 
mate object of faith, and a sure refuge to all that shelter them- 
selves under the shadow of his wings, and yet cannot get rid 
of their fears. Why ? Because they only rely upon him when 
their affections are stirred, or when their devotion flames. But 
certainly, it is our duty, our interest, to ? trust in the Lord at all 
times.' This is the cure God himself proposes for the soul 
* that walketh in darkness and hath no light'— — * let him trust 
in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.' This is 
to 'come unto' Christ, as those 'that labour and are heavy 
laden,' to whom he promises—' I will give you rest.' If, 
therefore, we do not find rest unto ourselves, it must be be- 
cause we do not come labouring and heavy laden, deeply 
humbled, and entirely quitting all other refuges, — as poor sin- 
ners, as helpless creatures. Thus, ' having no confidence in 
the flesh,' we are best prepared to ' rejoice in Christ Jesus.' 
I greatly desire your establishment in grace, and joy in the 
Lord. I commend you to the blessing of the Almighty, and 
desire your devout remembrance of, dear Miss, yours, &c. 

J.W. 

WISE CHILDREN MAKE GLAD PARENTS. 

To Miss — Philipps. 
(On a south journey,) October 1, 1 74&« 

DEAR COUSIN, 

I commend you for taking up so pious, so self-denying a 
resolution. You see how desirous those are to ' die the death 
of the righteous/ whenever they admit a thought of it ; who 



JFJ. 56. WISE CHILDREN MAKE GLAD PARRNTS. 297 

will not live the life of the righteous ; but their 'fleshly lusts' 
they will gratify, though they cannot but know they 'war 
against their souls,' Oh ! how thankful should we be, if 
God hath inclined our hearts to mhid the ' one thing needful, 
and choose that good part which shall not be taken away 
from us/ How thankful, if we have been made to see our 
need of a Saviour, so as to ' hunger and thirst after' him, to 
i eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of man,' and to 
be enabled to rejoice in him ! — I lately had a letter from 
each of my dear children. The youngest, Sarah, who has 
not yet finished her fifteeuth year, melted my very soul with 
expressions of her gratitude and duty, a sense of her privi- 
leges and obligations, and her ardent aspirations in favour of 
her parents. After magnifying her peculiar advantages, 
these are her expressions: — 

" My gratitude to you, dear Sir, surely should warble in 
the sweetest strains, and sparkle with the most refined lustre : 
1 am sure it warms my heart ; indeed, if it did not, it might 
justly be numbered among the greatest absurdities in nature. — 
My dear Papa, I again return you most grateful thanks for 
your earnest concern for my soul's prosperity. Surely, it 
shall not all fall to the ground. God will reward you for all 
your tender care, and diligent watchfulness over your chil- 
dren's souls. I would desire to make it always my most 
earnest petition — that my dear parents may have blessings 
doubled and redoubled, returned to them again. When you 
come to us, may a celestial band be continually hovering 
over you, and screen you from all inconveniencies and dis- 
asters. Winter begins to sound an alarm. The warbling 
songsters are growing still, and reserving their melody for 
the returning blooming season. The fragrant flowers close 
up their cheering aspect. The verdant meads and shady 
trees will soon wear winter's rough attire. But, this is your 
constant happiness — to know that the bright world, tc* which 
you are hastening, cannot suffer a gloom amidst its most re- 



ZgS THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST. 1748, 

fined enjoyments ; no withering autumn to veil its brightest 
scenes : — 

" There everlasting spring abides, 
" And never-with'ring flow'rs. 

Watts. 

None but a parent knows the heart of a parent. Neverthe- 
less you cannot be insensible, that to a fond father the con- 
tents of this letter must be very grateful. Blessed be God 
for all his consolations, through whatever mediums. Doubt 
not, dear cousin, of a blessing in store for you. Salute my 
much honoured aunt in my name, and accept this token of 
love and respect, and forget not to pray for, yours, 

J. W. 

THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST. 

October 15, 1748. A delightful meditation I enjoyed yes- 
terday on these words— * He ever liveth to make interces- 
sion for us/ I considered how Christ intercedes for us ;— 
that he presents his sufferings and sacrifice in our behalf and 
in our stead. As the high priest went not into the Holy of 
Holies without blood, to make atonement for the people ; 
so, our glorious High Priest presents before God his body, 
that body which was sacrificed for us ; and he intercedes, by 
earnestly desiring the forfeited blessings to be restored to us. 
But, what are the blessing-s which Christ intercedes for in be- 
half of his people r ' While I was musing' upon that, f the 
fire burned,' and 1 was enabled, in full assurance of faith, and 
with sacred joy, thus to apply (as I went on in my journey) : 
— -He intercedes for the pardon of penitent and believing sin- 
ners : ' Father, forgive them :' therefore, I hope, my sins 
are pardoned. He intercedes for the preservation of his peo- 
ple in their temptations and afflictions : ' Holy Father, keep 
them through thy own name :' therefore, I shall be pre- 
served and kept. He intercedes for their sanctification : 
4 Sanctify them through thy truth :' therefore, I shall be 



JEt.51. OF EXAMINING AND PROVING OURSELVES. Q.Q9 

sanctified, and be enabled more and more to i die unto sin, 
and live unto righteousness/ He intercedes for a union of 
his people with God and with one another : { That they all 
may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee ; that 
they also may be one in us :' therefore, I am and shall be 
vitally united to God in Christ Jesus. He intercedes for 
their consolation : l That the world may know that thou hast 
loved them as thou hast loved me :' therefore, the God of 
peace shall fill me with all 'joy and peace in believing.' And 
finally, he intercedes with the Father to give his people ever- 
lasting glory : ' Father, I will, that they also whom thou hast 
given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my 
glory, which thou hast given me / therefore, ' as for me, I 
shall behold thy face in righteousness ; I shall be satisfied, 
when I awake, with thy likeness/ How amazing, how un- 
changeable is the love of our glorious Immanuel ! How 
safely may believers trust their souls in his hand, and rest sa- 
tisfied with his intercession ! 

DIRECTIONS FOR EXAMINING AND PROVING 
OURSELVES. 

To Mr. Joseph Green.* 

Kidderminster, December 17, 174S. 

DEAR SIR, 

Yours of November 8, was here a little before my return, 
which was not till the 14th. Since then, it hath lain before 
me as a monitor, and now I find an opportunity and in- 
clination to acknowledge it. I knew nothing of the mistake 
you mention, nor ever should, if you had not told me of it. 
I will very willingly give you credit for the sum till April, 

* This gentleman, of whom the reader will find an interesting re- 
cital in the first article dated December 30, 1748, (p. 306) died in 
1782, aged 70, after having honourably filled the office of Deacon, 
and having lived a life of respectability and usefulness. 



300 OF EXAMINING AND PROVING OURSELVES. 1748. 

when I hope to see you again, if it shall please God so far 
to protract our lives. 

The evening after we parted, riding between Rumsey and 
Southampton, by moonlight, and alone, I had a delightful 
meditation, of which I will give you a little sketch : — 

As I beheld ' the moon walking in brightness,' I was led 
to consider — how punctually it performs its daily and monthly 
revolutions : I then considered the impulsive, or directive 
cause of the punctuality of its motion and various appear- 
ances ; which I resolved into His sovereign pleasure, and 
omnific power who worketh ' all and in all :' even ' the Lord, 
which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances 
of the moon and of the stars for a light by night ;'-— who hath 
made a ' covenant' ' with day and night,' and hath ' appoint- 
ed the ordinances of heaven and earth ;' and appeals to the 
perpetuity of those ordinances as a pledge of his fidelity to 
< the seed of Israel.' I next considered — that He who so 
exactly regulates the motion of the moon, and marshals all 
the stars, as certainly superintends, and as nicely regulates 
the affairs of kingdoms, families, and individuals : yea, that 
his care extends to all created things, both animate and in- 
animate, and appoints to all their seasons. What a glorious 
privilege ! thought I, to have this almighty, all-wise, omni- 
present God for my God ; my God in covenant ; and this 
' covenant ordered in all things and sure.' — On the other 
hand : — what a dreadful thing to have such a God for an 
enemy ! Certainly, he is either our friend, and of friends in- 
finitely the best ; or he is our enemy, and of enemies infinitely 
the most formidable ; therefore, nothing can concern us 
more than to know which of the two he is to us. John, in 
the Revelations, saw that ' whosoever was not found written, 
in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.' Now, we 
cannot search the register kept in heaven, to see whether our 
names be written there, but we may search our own hearts 
and lives, and in them we may read whether our names be 



Mi. 51. OF EXAMINING AND PROVING OURSELVES. 301 

■ written in the Lamb's book of life.' ( Examine yourselves/ 
saith the apostle, 'whether ye be in the faith ; prove your own 
selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ 
is in you, except ye be reprobates ?' Do zee, then, love God 
above all ? do we i love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity V 
— If we do not love him above all, we love him not at all, 
in his account. It is the degree of our love to him that 
evinceth its sincerity or insincerity ; for he saith — ' He that 
loveth father or mother/ ' son or daughter, more than me, is 
not worthy of me/ Now, we certainly know whether and 
in what manner we love our near relations, — and more evi- 
dently still, whether we love our own lives. If we ' ex- 
amine' ourselves impartially, therefore, we may learn our 
state by such marks as these : — 

A child of God delights in the presence of his heavenly 
Father. — There is such an enjoyment to be obtained even 
upon earth : God's presence is enjoyed particularly in ordi- 
nances ; in reading and hearing his word ; and in prayer. 
Pious souls, if by reason of business or company, or any 
other diversion, they pass by the stated seasons of duty, are 
uneasy, are in pain, they feel a sensible concern till they have 
Jfound an opportunity to converse with God. Here let us 
1 examine' ourselves. Do we love the presence of God in 
duty, and is it a pain to us to put by seasons of devotion ? 
Can we go on from day to day, neglecting to converse with 
God in his word and by prayer ? Let us inquire again : are 
we i grieved' when God is dishonoured ? He is dishonoured 
by profane swearing, by sabbath-breaking, by debauchery of 
every kind. David could say — c I beheld the transgressors 
and was grieved ; because they keep not thy word :' can we 
Say sb ? If not, where is our love to God as our Father : 
nay, where is our loyalty to him as our King, if we can see 
Iris authority trampled upon without any concern ? Do we 
.admire and love to meditate on his perfections as they are 
^displayed in his works of nature, of providence, and of grace ? 



302 DIRECTIONS FOR PERSONAL CONDUCT. 1748. 

Do we rejoice when he is honoured ; and, when at any time 
we have been overtaken in a fault, are we grieved not only for 
fear of hell, but because our heavenly Father is displeased ? 
My dear friend, I have given my thoughts full scope on 
this occasion, that I might help you, if possible, to get a 
dear knowledge of your state God-ward. — If on the whole, 
you have good evidences that you can love God with all 
your heart and soul, then certainly you will admire and adore 
his grace who f first loved' you ! If you cannot find satis- 
factory evidences, do not despair, but ply e the throne of 
grace' with restless, unceasing importunity ; for he hath pro- 
mised to give i a new heart,' ' and a new spirit,' to them that 
seek him in sincerity. If -now, you will take this friendly 
freedom in a friendly manner, and will write to me again 
soon, you will greatly oblige, dear Sir, your cordial well- 
wisher, 

J. W. 

DIRECTIONS FOR PERSONAL CONDUCT. 

To his daughter Kirkpatrick. 

Kidderminster, December 26, 1748. 

MY DEAR ESTHER, . 

1 have reason to thank you for your last. 1 wish you c all 
joy and peace in believing ;' but these you cannot have with- 
out humble, close walking with God ; nor, in your present 
situation, without abounding in good works. You must be 
' filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus 
Christ unto the glory and praise of God.' Remember what 
I sent you July 29, from Dr. Young : — 

" Is Heav'n tremendous in its frown ? most sure : 
" And in its favours formidable too." &c. 

You are as ' a city set on a hill.' Many eyes are upon you. 
Be jealous, therefore, over yourself; and be strict and fre- 
quent in the examination of your conduct, lest in any respect, 
you fail of your incumbent duty; to which you are now 



JEt. 57. DIRECTIONS FOR PERSONAL CONDUCT. 303 

under many more obligations than when you were under my 
immediate care. Employ your influence for God ; and by 
the amiableness of your deportment credit religion, recom- 
mend the good ways of the Lord, and do honour to your 
husband in the sight of all. By your own example labour 
to preserve your husband's authority in his own family invio- 
late. His will must be yours in every lawful and reasonable 
thing; for what is otherwise I do not expect he will ever 
require. More especially, watch over your temper in little 
things. They are generally trifling matters about which 
good husbands and wives disagree. Is it not a pity that 
your husband's mind should be made uneasy by trifles ? His 
uneasiness would not fail to work your own disquietude. 
To conduct yourself properly towards your servants will re- 
quire constant care and watchfulness, so as neither to weaken 
your authority and influence by making yourself too familiar 
with them, nor by austerity to discourage them. It is proper 
to wink at little faults when clone through inadvertency, and 
to animadvert with severity only on such as are done obsti- 
nately and maliciously. As you know by what means a 
spirit of religion has been cherished and maintained in this, 
beyond many neighbouring towns, so, do you endeavour to 
set on foot such exercises at Newport as private meetings 
for social prayer, the reading of sermons, spiritual conversa- 
tion, the comparing of experiences, and the like. Who 
knows whether Providence hath not settled you there, for 
this purpose! God can make use of any instruments. A 
love to Christ, and to the souls he died to save, where it is 
Strong, will work wonders. Now, my dear child, < I com- 
mend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is 
able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among 
all them which are sanctified/ May f the grace of our Lord 
Jesus Christ be with your spirit/ and be ' sufficient' for 
you in every time of need. I put my very heart into the 
petitions which I present daily on your behalf. Let this 



304 DESIRE TO BO GOOD TO SOULS. 1748. 

office of Christian, as well as filial love, be ^Iso daily reta- 
liated to your affectionate parent, 

% W, 

DESIRE TO DO GOOD TO SOULS. 

Friday-night, December 30, 1748. It hath long been my 
earnest desire and prayer, that the blessed God would make 
me instrumental in awaking and converting precious souls. 
For this purpose I took pains with many of my young friends 
30 or 40 years ago. He gave me a desire to 'travail' in spirit 
for every one of my children, particularly, when in baptism 
I solemnly devoted each of them to God the Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost ; and for those that are dead, that in their 
last sickness, their guilt and filth might be washed away in 
the blood of Christ ; and more especially for the three which 
survive, from the time they came severally to 17 years 
of age. At sundry times my very heart hath been drawn out 
in earnest prayer for each of them; as also, for each of my 
domestic servants, that ' Christ' may ' be formed in' them. 
How far my poor prayers and endeavours have contributed 
to the working a saving change in them, as also in Miss Wil- 
kinson and Miss Birkett, whose parents desired that they 
might for awhile be under my roof, perhaps God only knows.. 
However, I have the ' joy' of seeing, or hearing, that they 
all ' walk in the truth/ 1 have the joy of hoping and be- 
lieving, I think on good grounds, that no less than seven 
young souls have been born to God in my family within 
these three or four years. May all the praise be ascribed to 
him e who worketh all in all/ I am just now not without 
hopes, that the Lord hath made use of my poor endeavours 
to awaken one, if not two, who before seemed, to Jieiast 
asleep in sinful security. 

Last October, at Bradford, Wilts, after transacting busi- 
ness with a dissenter in that town, among other things which 
fell from him in conversation, he let me know, that he had 
once in his life failed, or broke. Presuming thence that h§ 



Mt.5*l. DESIRE TO DO GOOD TO SOTJLS. 305 

had paid his debts only by composition, I asked — Whether 
he had ever paid the surplus, or that which was due to his 
creditors over and above the composition ? He owned he had 
not. I therefore told him, with a degree of stern solemnity, 
that he must do it. I even asked him — How he would dare 
to stand before the judgment-seat Of Christ, his just debts not 
being paid, and he being able to pay the whole ? Many more 
things I said to the same purpose, and in the most solemn 
manner ; for he appears to be in affluent circumstances. The 
same person told me also, that he intended to ride out in the 
country next day. I inquired — What necessity there was for 
his travelling from home on the Lord's-day? Perceiving 
there was none, I laboured to dissuade him from his purpose, 
but could not find that my dissuasions availed any thing. I 
saw nothing of him at the two first meetings, but in the even- 
ing he came, and sat in the table-pew, where I also sat. He 
seemed to be greatly affected under the sermon. I was very 
glad to see how he melted under the word, and resolved to 
spend part of the evening with him. Accordingly, I went 
to his house, and spent about two hours with him in very 
free conversation and prayer. I spared not to set his sins in 
order before him, and to shew him the necessity of repent- 
ance and faith in the blood of Christ, in order that he might 
obtain acceptance with God. He wept sore, and freely 
owned to me many convictions he had had, and resolutions 
he had formed, which had all come to nothing ; and that to 
that day he had lived in the neglect of prayer, but signified 
his conviction of the necessity of it, and his resolution/by the 
help of God, to begin, and constantly keep up prayer in his 
family. I prayed with them, had great enlargement, and he, 
by his groanings and tears seemed to be much engaged. I 
took an opportunity of speaking to his wife, who seems to be 
a truly pious woman, and endeavoured to convince her of the 
necessity for his paying all his juSt debts, if he would make 

X 



306 DESIRE TO DO GOOD TO SOULS. 1748. 

his peace with God by repentance and faith in the blood of 
Christ. She seemed to hearken to me. He accompanied 
me afterwards to my inn, and promised to act agreeably to 
the advice I had given him. Since that I wrote to him to 
the same purpose. May the Lord set my addresses home to 
his heart. 

Before I entered on the same journey, Mr. Joseph Green, 
a young man of Bristol, desired leave to travel with me. I 
quickly found my companion had conversed with some De- 
ists, and though he would not own it, had too much given 
into their infidel notions. Many a dispute we had upon the 
road, while we travelled together almost a fortnight. Many 
times I had it in my mind to talk with him in the most 
searching manner. At last Providence gave me a most fit 
opportunity, at Lyndhurst, a night or two before we were to 
part. Many a struggle I had with myself, but at length all 
my foolish objections were silenced, and I conversed with 
him, about three hours, concerning ' the deep things of God. 5 
Before I had done, he seemed to be convicted, and frankly 
owned his want of love to God and to our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and appeared to be sensible he was no more than a nominal 
Christian. This gave me great encouragement, and I parted 
with him at Salisbury, with full intention to prosecute," by 
writing,what had been begun in conversation. When I returned 
home, I found a letter he had sent me a few days before, and 
it was no small disappointment to me to find it was about a 
small pecuniary affair, but not a word about the state or in- 
terest of his soul. His letter lay before me some weeks, be- 
fore I found an inclination to answer it. At last I could for- 
bear no longer. I wrote to him on the 17th of this month. 
He answered me on the 2Sth. But, oh ! how was I trans- 
ported with joy, to find that God had set home the searching 
queries and considerations I had sent him, to the awakening 
and deep conviction of his conscience. How honestly and 
nakedly does he lay before me the temper and unusual work- 



.Et.57. CHERISHING SERIOUS IMPRESSIONS. S07 

ings of his soul! He owns he hath no love to the duty of 
prayer ; that he can omit it, and can go a whole day without 
any sensible concern. He laments the sad state he is in, and 
seems to be in good earnest in his applications to the c throne 
of grace,' through a Redeemer, for deliverance from the body 
of sin and death. May the Lord carry on and c perfect the 
good work he hath begun' in his soul ! 

CHERISHING SERIOUS IMPRESSIONS. 
To Mr. Joseph Green. 

Kidderminster, December 30, 1748. 

VERY DEAR SIR, 

Your letter hath filled me with the greatest cheerfulness, 
My soul rejoices, and even exults in your salvation. How 
many times, and with what transports of joy, have I, on my 
bended knees, been praising and adoring the God and Fa- 
ther of our Lord Jesus Christ for this grace vouchsafed to 
you, and particularly for making me the unworthy instrument 
of it ! The news hath reached heaven, and there hath been 
'joy over you in the presence of the angels of God ;' and shall 
Ijnot rejoice ? Perhaps,Sir, you fear that I triumph before the 
victory ; and I wonder not, if you do. I was encouraged 
to write to you in the manner I did, because you freely ac- 
knowledged your fears, that you were destitute of the love of 
Christ, which I had been describing. Had you justified 
\ourself, instead of confessing your fears, it would have dis- 
couraged me from writing ; but your frankness convinced me, 
that the Spirit of God had in some measure opened your 
heart to receive an all-sufficient Saviour. — Our Lord says — 
i When the Comforter is come, he will reprove/ or convince, 
f the world of sin, because they believe not on me/ Whence 
it is plain, that not believing in Christ, is the sin of the 
world: but persons will continue in unbelief, till they are 
convinced of their need of a Saviour, and of his willingness 

x2 



30& CHERISHING SERIOUS IMPRESSIONS. 1748. 

to save them* and, if their life and conversation be unblame- 
able in the sight of men, it is the hardest thing in the world 
to fasten conviction on such. None but the Spirit of grace 
can do it. I remember, three years ago, in conversation 
with two gentlemen of my acquaintance, one of which had 
been a notorious debauchee, the other a boasting pharisee, I 
laboured to convince them both of their sinfulness, in order 
to lead them to Christ. The former seemed to yield a little, 
but the other was too full of his own righteousness to admit 
any conviction. Thus, 'men love darkness ;' love to be in 
the dark as to this important piece of self-knowledge : they 
will not submit their hearts and lives to a strict and impartial 
examination, for fear they should be convicted. Their pride 
will not suffer them to think so ill of themselves, as their 
state deserves, so they bolster themselves up to their ever- 
lasting undoing. 

Faith and love always go together. In proportion as faith 
believes the promise, and relies upon the Saviour, love will 
certainly embrace him : but neither of them can find place 
in the heart that is not sensible of its need of Christ. The 
inviting promise is made only to such as ( labour and are 
heavy laden' under the guilt and burden of sin. If the soul 
be brought to this, and made sensible of its sin and danger, and 
of its utter inability to save itself, then the wOrk is more than 
half done. When a man finds that he hath never loved God 
with all his heart, and yet sees that he cannot be saved with- 
out such a supreme and predominant love to God, he is ready 
to look round about him for help, and is glad to accept of 
help from Christ. At first, he can scarcely believe, when he 
he hears Jesus say — ' Look unto me, and be ye saved :' 
' Come unto mc, and ye shall find rest for your souls.' But, 
the more he tries to look unto Christ, and come to him, and 
trust in him, the more strength he receives from Christ, and 
the more hope he entertains that Christ ' loved him, and gave 
himself for him/ and therefore he cannot but love Christ the 



v#7.57. CHERISHING SERIOUS IMPRESSIONS. 30Q 

more : How delightful is that love, when the heart and soul 
is drawn out after Christ. And, have not you, my dear 
friend, felt something of the power of Christ drawing out 
your desires after him ? Though, from a sense of your im- 
potence, you cry — Where is my inclination ? where is my 
will ? Yet, have you not, in some measure, found his grace 
6 working in you, both to will aud to do ?' Whence come 
all your complaints, if there be not a will to be as God 
would have you be, and to do what God would have you 
do ? Whence come such pious breathings — " Oh ! might 
this Holy Spirit dwell with me," 8tc. Is not this a hopeful 
pledge, nay, ' fruit of the Spirit ? Is he not producing in 
you ' a spirit of grace and supplication ?' Is not this a sign 
of the new birth ? I heard a pious old gentleman say, about 
thirty years ago—" God hath no still-born children." No ; 
we come into the world crying, and so we do into the new 
world, the world of grace. It was Christ's remark concern- 
ing Paul's first change — ' Behold he prayeth.' But remem- 
ber, Sir, you have but just drawn the sword against your spi- 
ritual enemies. Expect now to be vigorously, and perhaps 
incessantly attacked with new temptations. You have need 
to ' take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may 
be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to 
stand.' If Satan find he cannot keep you back any longer 
from ' striving to enter in at the strait gate/ he will do all he 
can to hinder you, to distress you, or to make you ashamed 
of the good ways of God. He hath a thousand treacherous 
arts to beguile ' unstable souls.' Be continually on your 
guard : ' Watch and pray, that you enter not into tempta- 
tion/ And under every new temptation fly to l the Captain 
of your salvation ;' who is mighty, who hath vanquished all 
the hosts of hell, and ' reserves them in everlasting chains 
under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day ;' and 
' who, having himself suffered, being tempted, is able to sue- 

x 3 



S10 'TRUST NOT IN UNCERTAIN RICHES.'' 1749- 

com* them that are tempted. What a glorious privilege is 
tills- — that we have leave and encouragement to ' trust in hire 
at all times !' I heartily commend you, and will ' commend 
you to his' blessing and ' grace, who is able to build you up/ 
' to keep you from falling/ ( to give you an inheritance among 
all them which are sanctified' * by faith that is in' Christ Je- 
sus, and ' to present you faultless before the presence of his 
glory with exceeding joy.' Write to me again soon : I shall 
long to hear how you go on. 'Be not faithless, but believ- 
ing.' Be assured of the constant prayers of, dear Sir, 

yours, &c. 

J. W. 

RICHES NOT THE PROPER OBJECT OP THEIR 
POSSESSORS' TRUST, 

To his son-in-law, Mr. James Kirkpatrick. 

Kidderminster, January — , 1749= 

BEAR SIR, 

It gives me great satisfaction that you are sensible of your 
obligations to the great Giver of all your mercies, and that 
you are so well disposed c freely to give' of what you have 
* freely received :' this is the surest way to have your pros- 
perity continued, — to be prepared for the account that must 
one day be rendered of the talents with which you are- en- 
trusted, — and to be entitled to the applauding sentence of 
< Well done, good and faithful servant.' ' Charge them/ says 
the apostle to Timothy, ' that are rich in this world, that the* 
be not high-minded, nor trust m uncertain riches, but in the 
living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy ; that 
they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to dis- 
tribute, willing to communicate ; laying up in store for them- 
selves a good foundation against the time to come, that they 
may lay hold on eternal life.' I apprehend these instructions 
are to be enforced by every gospel minister : whether yon 
have been so c charged' by any, I know not, but permit me 



jEt.5". i TRUST NOT IN UNCERTAIN RICHES.' 311 

to enforce what may have been done, and to endeavour to 
supply what may have been omitted. Indeed ' I am jealous 
over you ;' not because I have discovered you to be ' high- 
minded/ but because I know that riches are ensnaring, and 
that it is their natural tendency to make the possessors of 
them ■ high-minded ;' than to be which, it is incomparably 
preferable to be poor and humble. An excellent help in 
this case is, as I doubt not you have often experienced, fre- 
quently to acknowledge God to be the sole proprietor of all 
things, and yourself to be only as his steward. A sense of 
your dependance on him will keep you humble, and excite 
your thankfulness. It will enable you, as often as you bestow 
aught for the relief of the poor, or the support of the gospel, 
to say with David, when he and the princes had offered wil- 
lingly to the Lord towards the building of the temple — 'Who 
am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to of- 
fer so willingly after this sort ? for all things come of thee^ 
and of thine own have we given thee. 7 Mr. Gouge, in his 
* Sure Way to be Rich," recommends what I cousider to 
be an excelleut rule, and which I know to be practised by 
some persons ; it is, to " sequester a tenth part of your yearly 
income, and solemnly devote it to God and his service." The 
portion, I think, should not generally be less than a tenth. 
By such a practice provision is made for every occasion, and 
there will be no temptation to give grudgingly, because that 
portion will no longer be considered as our own ; and it is 
well to keep in mind that ' God loveth a cheerful giver.' I 
desire fruit which may abound to your present usefulness 
and comfort, and produce for you a glorious reward. Be 
assured the best of blessings are daily asked for you and 
yours of Him who * is able to do exceeding abundantly' for 
you, by, dear Sir, your affectionate parent and humble ser- 
vant, 

J W. 
x4 



^ 



512 BOLDNESS AT T&E THRONE OF GRACE. 1749. 

BOLDNESS AT THE THRONE OF GRACE. 
February 10, 1749^ I think I have not met with a more 
humbling, self-emptying thought, or a thought which hath 
pleased me better, than in reading Herbert's poem, entitled 
—-Gratefulness, where he is pleading with God, and rais- 
ing an argument from the many mercies God had already 
bestowed upon him, to give him one thing more ; — a thank- 
ful heart, without which all his mercies would be in a mari- 
ner lost upon him. He then adds— 

" But thou didst reckon, when at first 

" Thy word our hearts and hands did crave, 

" What it would come to, at the worst, 

" To save. 

a Perpetual knockings at thy door r 

u Tears sullying thy transparent rooms, 

" Gift upon gift, much would have more, 

" And comes- 

" This notwithstanding, thou went'st on, 

iS And didst allow us all our noise, 

" Nay, thou hast made a sigh and groan 

" Thy joys.*' 

What is there, that sinful worms are prone to value them- 
selves upon more than their prayers ana* penitential tears r 
In what a just and pride-mortifying light hath this devout 
,. writer set thl^e very productions of ours, which, I fear, even 
,>a*ma1ry Protestants are ready to look upon a^ almost meritori- 
ous ! It is true, asking, seeking, and knocking at mercy's, 
door, is our duty; Christ'Tiath commanded it, and hath an- 
nexed gracious promises. But in itself, what is it, that it 
j&bould merit mercy at the hand of God I Just as much as a 
beggar's knocking, and crying loudly and importunately, at 
ray door, for an alms ; and his persisting, after I have reliev- 
ed his present wants, to knock and beg still more importu- 
nately for more and greater gifts ; and even refusing to give 



J£t. 57. BOLDNESS AT THE THRONE OF GRACE. 313 

over, unless I give him, or at least promise him, enough to 
maintain him as long as he lives. Nay, there is less merit in 
my asking of God ; for God hath made me a debtor to the 
poor, whereas he owes me nothing. Is not this a fair repre- 
sentation of the case ? At first, when a poor sinner is made 
deeply sensible of his lost condition, and that he stands every 
moment exposed to divine vengeance, what would he give 
for a pardon ! He wants nothing else but a pardon. How 
glad would he be to be assured he shall not fall under con- 
demnation ! When he hath obtained this, nothing less will 
serve his turn than a title to a kingdom, and that not an 
earthly one ; no, he would not be contented with all the do- 
minions of King George. Nothing short of the kingdom of 
heaven will suffice his large desires. Well, when he hath 
cleared his title, and is assured he is and shall be ' a king 
and priest unto God, an heir of God, and a joint heir with 
Christ ;' then, he begs to wear the royal ' robe' of Christ's 
own preparing, and be clothed with ' the wedding garment/ 
and be adorned with the most brilliant jewels, even all the 
train of Christian graces, nor ever thinks himself fine enough. 
Nay, he is not content without c gold tried in the fire, that he 
may be rich :' and lest this should not be sufficient, he in- 
sists upon having ' bags which wax not old, a treasure in the 
heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither 
moth corrupteth.' In short, he asks for gift upon gift, and 
the more he receives, the more he covets, and therefore is 
perpetually knocking and crying at heaven's door. Nor, is 
he at rest, unless he be brought every day, — if it were possible, 
every hour, — into the presence of the great King ; and no less 
a personage than the King's Son must introduce him, and be 
his Advocate. Also, while he is there, if he be not treated 
as a courtier, as the King's friend, he is quite discouraged, 
But by all this, pray who is the gainer ? and, wherein is the 
King benefited \ How astonishing is the Divine patience, 
which allows us all our great importunity ! How rich the 



314 BOLDNESS AT THE THRONE OF GRACE. 1?49. 

grace, which bids Us ' pray without ceasing ;' and, ' in every 
thing by prayer and supplication' ' let our requests be made 
known unto God !' This is the more wonderful, considering 
in what a careless, and too often in a rude manner, we ad- 
dress the Divine Majesty. Do we not approach the great 
God with less care and reverence, and more unpreparedly, 
than if we were going into the presence of King George f 
But, is there any proportion, or comparison, between a mor- 
tal man and'"* the King eternal, immortal, invisible P 

An Hymn, 

Oh! may I, at tne morning ray, 
Begin with pray'r the op'ning day ; 
In praises bid my soul arise, 
And with the sun ascend the skies : 

As that proceeds, my zeal improve, 
With ardour glow for Jesu's love ; 
Nor cease, but with the setting sun 
My evening worship be begun. 

And, may the gloom of solemn night 
To sacred thought my soul invite ; 
While day descends, and planets shine, 
Ascend, my soul, to courts divine : 

Ascend, and tread the milky way, 
To thy grand palace, Lord of day ! 
Thy courts admire, for favour sue, 
Or friendship with my God renew. 

Great Lord of nature, O controul, 
Subdue the rebel in my soul ; 
Thou, who canst still the raging flood, 
Restrain the tumults of my blood. 



Ait. 57. SELF ABASED, AND CHRIST EXALTED. 315 
With firmness teach me to sustain 
Alluring joys, assaulting pain ; 
To pant for thee in each desire ; — 
Let grace foment the holy fire ! 

Let hope aspire and grasp the prize 
Which in my Saviour's bosom lies ; 
And fearless, at Doom's-day, behold 
Thy Book, that fatal Book! unfold. 

Then, wafted to the blissful seat, 
From age to age my song repeat ; 
My God, my Life, my c avioursee, 
And dwell for ever, Lord, with thee ! 

SELF ABASED, AND CHRIST EXALTED. 

To the Rev. R. Pearsall. 

Kidderminster, February 24, 1749. 

DEAR BROTHER, 

Your commendations do me hurt rather than good : 
though I have determined, many years ago, that by grace as- 
sisting me — 

Speak I of honours, they to God belong ! 

Who honour me, a worm, my Maker wrong : 

My indignation, all such honours raise ; 

Unless through me to him ascend the praise. 

Man's commendation I nor seek nor love ; 

But will, when rendered me, for God improve. 

All this notwithstanding, I do think commendation does, 
or hath a tendency to do me hurt. It pinions my muse, 
cramps my invention, and enervates what genius my Maker 
hath given me. Meditations on Christ, and communion with 
him, do me abundantly more good. I think there is nothing 
I covet more than daily communion with God in Christ, and 
entire resignation to his will. — There is nothing I desjhe 
more than, through divine grace, to be able to say — 



316 SECT ABASED, AND CHRIST EXALTED. 174$. 

By a wise Providence I'm brought to this— 
Dead to all creatures my affection is : 
To ev'ry joy and pleasure here below 
My heart hath giv'n the sacrificing blow. 
This one, this sole ambition I retain — 
Oh ! may with me my Jesus still remain ; 
Dwell in my heart, do for me all I need ! 
On him to live, and ever on him feed, 
Sufficient is : may but this bliss abide, 
I shun not to be stript of all beside. 
Whilst I with studious care that end pursue, 
I'm led to him by motives not a few ; 
And each new ?nean, my Saviour to address, 
Inspires a joy no language can express. 
However riches, learning, knowledge grow, 
Not all of these could e'er transport me so ! 

Being with Christ sums up the heav'nly state ; 
And thus my soul does heav'n anticipate. 
By swift believing thoughts on him employ'd, 
A heav'n on earth my soul hath oft enjoy'd ; 
Such light, and peace, and joy, possess the mind, 
'Tis heav'nly dawn, 'tis purity refin'd. 

I to expressless contemplation soar, 
Whilst Christ, God's word and wisdom, I adore. 
Him, the creation's Archetype, I see ; 
In whom exist, from all eternity, 
Original ideas infinite 

Of all his hands have form'd in worlds of light.* 
Nor less his works in lower worlds declare ; 
The substance he, the creatures shadows are. 
To pass through death this reconciles my mind — ■ 
Sure, what I lose below, in him to find. 
When sensual joys afford a dear delight, 
*jris tbii to him directs mj frequent flight — 



j£t. 57. SELF ABASED, AND CHRIST EXALTED. 317 

I think — What richer sweets in Christ are found ; — 
More lasting blessings do in him abound : 
And when ought choice, or lovely, is deny'd, 
In him such loss is plenteously supply'd. 

Terrestrial riches suit not my desire ; 
Them I exert no labour to acquire ; 
Too mean 1 count them, to engage my care; 
Occasions to do good, my riches are, 
With all that helps to burnish and refine 
My thinking pow'rs, and make them brighter shine. 
Riches unknown in Jesus I possess, 
And all my wants before his presence cease. 

I have told you, brother, what would be rather than what 
are, the real workings of my heart. Alas ! I frequently find 
myself immersed in sense, immersed in worldly cares, and at- 
tached to sensual enjoyments and gratifications : but this 
thought helps to reconcile me to death — that as soon as I 
have closed my eyes on all mortal scenes, I shall be abso- 
lutely free from all their attachments. Then, shall my un- 
pinioned spirit fully aspire towards the centre of its supreme 
wishes, and enter into joys, of which all my former sensa- 
tions afford me very low and imperfect ideas. I account it 
a sad and pitiable case, when the hearts of old people, for 
such you and I are, ' cleave to the dust,' and endeavour to 
tal^£ a faster and faster hold of what they must so speedily 
and necessarily be divorced from. It is more than time for 
such to be advised by the late pious and ingenious Mr. 
Reynolds : — 

" Thus let it be our work and rest 
" To learn the labours of the blest, 
il Loosen from clay, and upwards move, 
f' As candidates for realms above." 

May the approaches of death to us be rather desired than 
shurmed, t>e rather joyful than terrible, and may we be 



S18 SACRAMENTAL MEDITATION. 1749. 

assured, that when it is come, we shall change our place, not 
our company, nor altogether our employment. — The Lord 
increase your work amongst precious souls, and your strength 
in proportion. I dare not but pray for you, and hope you 

cannot omit praying for, your, &c. 

J. W. 

SACRAMENTAL MEDITATION. 
Lord's-day morning, March 5, 1749- O my soul, whom 
art thou to see, with whom art thou to converse this day ? I 
am this day invited into the presence of the King of kings,'to 
a banquet he hath prepared for his ■ friends, 3 and for none but 
friends. To such, and to such only, will he shew his face. 
To them he will unveil his beauties and glories ; while others 
see ' no form nor comeliness' in him. To such, he will ap- 
pear ( fairer than the children of men,' infinitely desirable ; 
whilst others see ' no beauty' in him, that they ' should desire 
him.' Such, shall be entertained and fed at his table with 
heavenly dainties, and 'he will give them to eat of hidden 
manna ;' while others are put off with a mere morsel of bread. 
Such, shall be regaled with a ' full draught of the water of 
life/ and have a taste of that ' wine, which is ever new/ 
which saints and angels above, without any fear or danger of 
excess, are for ever drinking in the celestial Paradise ; whilst 
others shall drink only of the juice, the adulterated juice of 
the grape. Oh ! with what sights is the eye of their faith 
fed, and with what joys are their hearts sometimes made to 
overflow. O my soul, am I a friend of this great King ? To 
such, he gives a spiritual eye, that they may discern spiritual 
objects. To such, he gives a spiritual appetite, that they may 
feast on his dainties, which to carnal, sensual appetites are 
insipid. Such, he cleanses from all their stains, and brings 
them into his presence, beautified with his beauty, clothed and 
adorned with his best robe, and most brilliant jewels, even 
all the train of Christian graces. The robe they wear is of 
his own working. Their graces are wrought in them by his 



jEt. 57. CHRIST, THE SUPREME OBJECT OF LOVE. 319 
own Spirit. O my soul, hast thou bought of him l eye- 
salve/ and applied it ; and is thy dim sight thereby cleared ? 
Dost thou ' hunger and thirst after righteousness/ and the 
bread and water of life ? Hast thou put ' on the wedding- 
garment V Art thou ' clothed with humility V Art thou mean 
and vile, yea, nothing in thy own eyes ? Thou art very prone 
to pride ; who gave thee to see thy own deformity, with thy 
Lord's transcendent loveliness ? Thy appetite was keen after 
1 the husks' and trash of this wilderness ; who gave thee to re- 
lish heavenly fruits ? Thou wast all over defiled, yea, wal- 
lowing in filthiness ; who hath cleansed thee ? Thou wast 
covered with rags , who hath so richly clothed thee, and put 
upon thee beautiful ornaments ? Oh ! that I could love my 
Lord in proportion to his loveliness, trust him in proportion 
to his power and faithfulness, and'praise him according to his 
grace and bounty. 

CHRIST, THE SUPREME OBJECT OF LOVE. 

To Mrs. Hannah Bunnell.* 

Sherborne, April 9, 1 749. 

DEAR COUSIN, 

I trust you are now, more and more satisfied that your fa- 
ther's and your mother's God, who is also your God, hath 
1 chosen your inheritance.' As you have seen, so in every 
future stage of life I hope you will see, the ' pillar of a cloud,' 
and the ' pillar of fire' going before you. I congratulate Mr. 
Bunnell, and I congratulate you on your happy settlement. 
' In every thing give thanks/ therefore ' acknowledge God' 
on this occasion ; and do not be always praying to him for 

* She was the daughter of the distinguishedly pious lady mentioned 
in the note to January 31, 1716, and mother of Messrs. Joseph and 
Zechariah Bunnell, of London ; gentlemen whose names, at this time, 
occupy an honourable place in many lists of committees and subscrib- 
ers to benevolent institutions. She died May 13, 1792, aged 68. 



^20 SYMPATHY WITH THE AFELTCTED. 174§* 

more, but praise him for those mercies which have crowned 
your lives. Follow the advice of the apostle, who says — 
' Let all your things be done with charity/ for on this, mu- 
tual happiness much depends. They must he strangers to 
happiness who are strangers to a spirit of love. 'A prudent 
wife is from the Lord/ so also, a prudent, loving husband is 
his gift ; perhaps a newly-married pair may think these ob- 
servations needless, but they would do well to get them 
< written' f in the fleshly tables of the heart/ * Be kindly af- 
fectioned one ta another/ How much more do they who do 
not cultivate conjugal, filial, or brotherly love, deprive them- 
selves of comfort, than they deprive those persons of it, to- 
wards whom love is required. None can be happy, for in- 
stance, even in the great Supreme, who does not love him, 
and that supremely ! Happy is that person who can say — 

" Come, dearest Saviour, to my breast, 
" For all my love is thine !" 

Is this your case .? If you doubt, you may suspect whe- 
ther you love him at all. Thus, I have led you to see that 
your truest, highest happiness, consists in the lively outgoings 
of your love to God in Christ, and that love to the creature 
is best bestowed where it can be made subservient to a mu- 
tual cultivation of that ' love of God/ from which ' neither 
death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor 
things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, 
nor any other creature, shall be able to separate you/ That 
the Lord may multiply blessings on you and your partner, 
and shine in upon your souls, prays, 4ear cousin, your lov- 
ing uncle, J. W. 

SYMPATHY WITH THE AFFLICTED. 

To Mrs. Crane. 

Kidderminster, May 1? ? 1749. 

BEAR SISTEE, 

Your pious letter opened the sluices of tenderness^ and 



Mt. 57. SYMPATHY WITH THE AFFLICTED. 321 

sent me to my closet* Indeed, I do sympathize with you, 
and at the same time rejoice over you. Doubt not, that our 
good God will either cause ' this' bitter s cup to pass from 
you/ or put such ingredients into it, as shall make it more 
than palatable. He is, certainly, too wise to mistake his 
children's interests, and too good to neglect them. i Though 
he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the 
multitude of his mercies.' Either the child shall yet reco- 
ver, and then this ' return of the clouds after the rain' is for 
the trial of your faith and resignation, that you may taste a 
double sweetness in the mercy ; or else, the Lord will give 
you what is far better, in lieu of what he takes away. It is 
my earnest desire and prayer, that if he be pleased to take 
away, he will first give such an abundant l supply of the Spi- 
rit of Jesus Christ,' that she may go off triumphantly, as her 
good aunt Housman did, and so recommend the ways of 
God, and particularly early piety, to all around her. Dear 
sister, I am glad to find you at the foot of Mercy. There, I 
have chosen to lie till my latest breath ; nor do I desire a 
better place to all eternity. There still to lie : I do not 

* In a letter to his brother, the Rev. R.Pearsall, dated May 19, 1749, 
Mr. W. says — " Poor Sarah Crane is worse. Her sister Anna has been 
with us some time, and last Wednesday our sister sent a man and horse 
for her, and she wrote thus: — "In my judgment, Sarah is weakening 
apace. Since I am disappointed in my hopes of seeing my brother 
Richard this spring, I have had the advice of Dr. Wall : Sarah takes his 
prescriptions, and they agree with her; but her fever is very bad. But, 
(she concludes) O brother, my chief errand to you is for prayer, and di- 
rection how to behave when called to part with so dear and tender a 
child. Oh! beg I may not be left to a stupid frame, nor yet be overwhelm- 
ed. 1 know the grace of God is sufficient for me, but I want to see my 
title to the promises. Methinks I could part with my dearest earthly 
comforts for one smile from heaven : — but I rebuke the thought, — for 
I know I am not to purchase divine blessings. They are a free gift. I 
wquld, therefore, lay myself, and all I call mine, at the feet of mercy, and 
say— i Do with me as seemeth good in thy sight.' n 

Y 



322 CLEARING UP A TITLE TO HEAVEN. 1749. 

mean, there to lie inactive, but there to lie continually. I know 
no other situation so safe, so peaceful, so joyful. Whilst I lie 
at the divine footstool, sensible I am nothing, and at the same 
time see myself ' complete in Christ,' I find nothing can harm 
me, no, not afflictions, nor death itself. I am truly glad to find 
you laying yourself there, and all you have. Blessed be God, 
who gave you this temper, — this absolute resignation. He 
is i better to' you therein ' than ten' children could be. To 
his blessing and grace I commend you, and all yours, parti- 
cularly the dear child. I am, &c. 

J. w. 

CLEARING UP A TITLE TO HEAVEN. 
To Mr. Joseph Green. 

Kidderminster, May 24, 1 74<>. 

DEAR SIR, 

You say nothing in your last letter of the state of your 
soul. O my friend, ( one thing is needful ;' and that one 
thing should be uppermost. How is it with you ? Are your 
hopes strong : are they well grounded I Have you a strong, 
a practical belief and persuasion, that there is indeed a state 
of perfect, everlasting blessedness ? And, if you have a firm 
belief that there is a heaven of everlasting 'rest' with God and 
Christ, with angels and saints, can you forbear contemplating 
it I Can you forbear inquiring after your title to it ? Can 
you have ease or peace in your mind, before you know whe- 
ther your everlasting portion will be there, or whether it will 
be in l the blackness of darkness for ever ?' If your title be 
clear, can you forbear meditating on that most delightful of 
all subjects ? Suppose you were a minor, and were to enter 
on the possession of a large estate when you came of age ; 
could you forbear thinking of it? Would it not fill your 
mind ? At least, would you not have some pleasing thoughts 
of it every day ? And is there any proportion or compari- 
son, between ten thousand a year, and a mansion in the New 
Jerusalem? Suppose your title v> ere not quite so clear as to 



jfct.57- NATURE AND DESIGN OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 323 

exclude all doubt concerning it, would you not run and ride 
for evidences, and stick at no pains to clear it ? Suppose it 
were a free gift from the King, and you had the royal pa- 
tent under his sign manual, how would you rejoice ! How 
highly would you esteem and extol, how dearly love, the royal 
donor! Would you think any service too great, too difficult, 
which you could possibly render ? Apply all this seriously, 
and impartially judge by the fruits of faith, whether you do 
indeed believe the heavenly ' rest.' If your belief of it be 
weak and ineffectual, it is as good as none. Oh ! beware of 
that faith, which does not produce suitable works. An un- 
operative faith is a dead faith. Let me beg of you to peruse 
attentively Mr. Baxter's Saints' Everlasting Rest. I have 
read it over and over. Blame my judgment, if you do not 
find it one of the most soul-enriching books, next to the 
Bible. Believe me to be, dear Sir, your soul's well-wisher, 

J. W. 

THE NATURE AND DESIGN OF THE LORD'S 
SUPPER. 

To the Same. 

Kidderminster, June 14, 1749. 

DEAR SIR, 

It is one thing to eat bread and drink wine at the table of 
the Lord, and another to eat the flesh and drink the blood of 
tbe Son of man. Though by the Way, I do not apprehend 
that when our Saviour says — ' Except ye eat the flesh of the 
Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you,' he 
there means — eating and drinking sacrainen tally, but only 
believing on him. Many, I doubt not, have had spiritual life 
in them, and have been admitted to life eternal,who have not 
had opportunity to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ 
sacramentally. Believing on him, unto the saving of the soul, 
is so great a work, that it is fitly set forth by eating his flesh 

y 2 



*> 



324 NATURE AND DESIGN OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 1749» 

and drinking his blood. Do not wonder that I call it a 'work;' 
it is our Saviour's own word — i This is the zvorh of God, 
That ye believe on him whom he hath sent/ But unless 
we do thus ' eat' and ' drink,' there is no partaking worthily 
of the Lord's Supper. To suppose that a bare * remem- 
brance' of Christ is all that is required in the participation, 
because he says — ' This do in remembrance of me/ is greatly 
erroneous : a remembrance there must be, but certainly, 
much more is meant thereby than is expressed. No doubt, 
they of whom the apostle speaks, where he says — * For this 
cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many 
sleep/ had some kind of remembrance of Christ in the par- 
ticipation, but were far from ' discerning the Lord's body :* 
they partook of the elements, but did not feed upon Christ 
as figured out thereby. It is not a Christ professed ; not the 
naming of the name of Christ, but a Christ received into, 
and dwelling in our hearts by faith, that must save us. The 
elements of bread and wine are set apart from a common to 
a peculiar use, and 'sanctified by the word of God and 
prayer/ to remind us that ' the man Christ Jesus' was sanc- 
tified and sent into the world by the Father, who prepared 
him a body to do his Father's will, to reveal it more fully to 
the world, and to ' save his people from their sins.' And the 
bread is broken, and the wine poured out, to remind us of 
the sufferings of him who 'was wounded for our transgres- 
sions/ ' bruised for our iniquities ;' for ' the chastisement of 
our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes aye are healed.' 
But still, why this representation of his sufferings in the gos- 
pel-feast ? No doubt to produce various effects : — 

To put us in mind that sin was the procuring cause of all 
his sufferings, and to bumble us for our own. As DrvWatts 
says — 

a Each of my crimes became a nail, 
" And unbelief the spear." 



JE/.57- NATURE AND DESIGN OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 325 

— To animate our faith in him, as a willing and an all- 
sufficient Saviour. Paul says, Acts xx. 28 — ' God hath pur»- 
chased the church with his own blood.' I ask, therefore, 
and with fear and reverence be it spoken — What stronger 
proof could Christ, who is God, give of his willingness to 
save as many as come to him by faith, than by shedding his 
blood, and laying down his life for them. ' He that spared 
not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall 
he not with him also freely give us all things ?' 

— To kindle and inflame our love to him, and our joy in 
him. 'We love him, because he first loved us.' 'These 
things/ saith Christ, c have I spoken unto you, that my joy 
might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.' 

Every communicant, when he worthily receives the body 
of Christ, as typified in the bread, receives him with all his 
purchased blessings ; feeds on him by faith ; actually relies 
on his merits and expiation ; and trusts in him alone, for all 
needful grace here, and for glory hereafter. And so, when he 
drinks of the cup, does he not receive the remission of k his 
sins, and purification from all the filth and pollution with 
which sin hath stained his soul ? In both these actions he, as 
i t were, sets to his seal, that he is and will be the Lord's, in 
the bonds of the everlasting covenant : and the Most High 
God as surely seals to him, by a reciprocal transaction, to be 
his God ; as it was in old times, when Moses said to the 
children of Israel — e Thou hast avouched the Lord this day 
to be thy God,' — ' and the Lord hath avouched thee this day 
to be his peculiar people.' 

This sacrament, therefore, is not to be approached unto 
without great solemnity, suitable qualifications, and due pre- 
paration. 

I am glad you are seeking after Baxter's Saints' Rest. I 
hope by this time you have procured it. Take it all before 
you from beginning to end ; and as you go along extract those 

y 3 



326 SUCCESS IN PRAYING WITH A POOR MAN. 1749- 

particular passages which strike your mind most deeply, that 
you may have the benefit of reviewing them for future use. 
This is what I have done ; and it is my plan when I read for 
edification, to read a little, and digest it as I go on, by mix- 
ing meditation and ejaculatory prayer with it, but not to run 
over a great deal in a little time. Do you follow this plan, 
and remember that— e to them, who, by patient continuance 
in well doing, seek for glory and honour and immortality/ 
God will render ' eternal life :' That this may be your por- 
tion is the earnest desire and prayer of, dear Sir, your cor- 
dial friend, Sec. 

J. W, 

SUCCESS IN PRAYING WITH A POOR MAN. 

Friday, June 30, 1749. I have been conversing with one 
of my workmen concerning the state of his soul, and find rea- 
son to hooe he is awakened, and brought under a sense of his 
sinful, lost, undone state, and his absolute need of a Saviour. 
I asked him — how long he had been under a concern for his 
soul ? I had the pleasure to hear him tell, that his deep con- 
cern for his soul began whilst I was praying with him and his 
wife, about three years ago, when they were distressed by af- 
fliction in their own persons and several of their children : 
and that this Was the expression in particular which was set 
home upon his conscience, and which, he says, he shall never 
forget ; — " O thou who tookest, or foundest ' Manasseh 
among the thorns/ ' and when he was in affliction, he be- 
sought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly be- 
fore the God of his fathers ; and prayed unto him, and he was 
entreated of him.' " He could not but think his circum- 
stances at that time might most fitly be compared to thorns, 
and the thorns pricked his conscience. I remember my 
heart was mightily drawn out in pity and compassion to 
them, and to him in particular, and likewise in very earnest 
desires after his conversion. Mr. Fawcett called on him 
goon after, and prevailed with him to set up family-prayer* 



JE/-o7. THE NOMINAL CHRISTIAN. 327 

Blessed be God,who hath in any measure ' heard the voice of 
my supplication.' May it appear, in his life and conversa- 
tion, that convictions have been followed with sound andsav- 
»dJ 

THE NOMINAL CHRISTIAN. 

July 14, 1749. The other morning I was taking a soli- 
tary walk in a path I had never trod before. I stopped a 
little to look into the river. There I observed a number of 
water-spiders, a young fry, treading the surface of the water, 
rowing against the stream, in which they seemed to keep 
stroke, rank and file, but still continued just where they were. 
I stood viewing them some minutes, and observed, that 
diough with repeated strokes and incessant labour they wefe 
all still springing forward, yet, being borne gently down the 
stream, they lost as much as they gaiued, just keeping their po- 
sition and distance from each other. In that situation, for 
ought I could see, th(?y were likely to continue days and 
weeks to come, if not to the end of their existence, unless 
the rapidity of a flood should bear them forcibly away. 
I was considering — to how little purpose was all their 
labour ; of what use could they be in the creation ; that 
as God had made the earth, and all things in it, for the 
service of man, and had made nothing in vain, for what use 
or intent hath he made these ? Presently a thought started, 
which became a subject of meditation to the end of my walk. 
See here, thought T, a lively emblem of a nominal Christian. 
He makes a profession, treads a circle of duty, and does 
* many things/ but still he is where he was. 'They come 
unto thee,' saith the Lord to Ezekiel, l as the people cometh, 
and they sit before thee as my people, aud they hear thy 
words, but they will not do them.' They hear, they read, 
they pray ; but for want of a principle of holiness in their 
liearts, they cannot ' increase with the increase of God ;' but, 

Y 4 



328 A JOURNEY SPIRITUALLY APPLIED. 1749- 

after ten, twenty, thirty, forty years, are still where they were. 
i But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth 
more and more unto the perfect day.' Like as these tread 
the surface of the water, and never dive or bathe themselves 
in it, such is the hypocrite with respect to religion ; he only 
treads the surface of a religious duty or ordinance, and does 
every thing superficially. What a piteous case is it, to be 
labouring all our days, and lose all our labour ! What mat- 
ter of thankfulness is here, for those who ' have tasted that 
the Lord is gracious,' and are carried up against the stream 
of their corrupt affections, temptations, and carnal appetites, 
and are getting still nearer and nearer to the Fountain ! 
Surely, such cannot be silent in his praises, ' who hath loved 
them with an everlasting love ; therefore with loving kindness 
hath drawn them/ 

A JOURNEY SPIRITUALLY* APPLIED. 
To his daughter Kirkpatrick* 

Kidderminster, August 2, 1 749. 

DEAR ESTHER, 

Through the great goodness of God, the travellers are 
come home in health and safety. I need not say what were 
the joys of meeting. Their safe return, after so long an ab- 
sence, and the amendment of your sister Hanbury's health, 
seem to have spread a pretty general joy through the town. 
Indeed, I never knew how much your mother is beloved and 
respected till she had been some time absent. She tells me 
that she had a very pleasant journey : that in every place of 
abode she found very kind and agreeable friends ; in the se- 
veral coaches respect from fellow travellers, and at every inn 
the most ready attention. I tell her — How uncomfortable 
it would have been, had the case been every way the reverse 
of this : How melancholy, to have been frowned on wher- 
ever she had been ; to have been ill-treated, abused, destitute 
of every comfort, and no friend to look on her, nor money to 



JEt.bl. DRSIRING GOD ABOVE ALL. 309 

make a friend ! To apply this : You and 1, your husband, 
and all who belong to us, must certainly take a more impor- 
tant jouruey ere long. Who knows how soon ! Dismal it 
will be to be compelled to quit our abodes, abandon all that 
is dear, and take a flight into the world of spirits ! Dismal, 
to have no friend to countenance us, or to defend us from 
surrounding foes ; and to be continually exposed to their 
scoffs ; the helpless victims to hellish, insatiable rage ! On 
the contrary — how joyous will it be to be received into the 
embraces of the Lord Jesus, to whom we have been enabled 
while here, in the confidence of faith, to commend our spi- 
rits ! How joyous, as soon as we shall have closed our mor- . 
tal eyes in death, to find ourselves under the protection of a* 
heavenly convoy, spirits which ( excel in strength,' and which 
* minister to the heirs of salvation !' Unspeakably joyous, 
to be welcomed by such into a blissful eternity ; and infi- 
nitely more so, to hear ' God the judge of all' welcome us 
1 into the joy of our Lord !' Oh ! who would for ever miss 
of such happiness, through the neglect of a little diligence 
and self-denial for a few transitory days : especially, when by 
consideration we may know, that the path of self-denying 
obedience though e narrow/ is vastly smoother and more de- 
lightful than the 'broad way that leadeth to destruction/ — 
Your mother and sister join, and I heartily unite with them, 
in cordial thanks to you, to yours, and to every other kind 
friend for the many marks of respect and friendship confer- 
red on them. I am, my dear Hetty's most affectionate 

father, 

J.W. 

DESIRING GOD ABOVE ALL. 

Saturday-night, August 12, 1749. I have been walking 
this evening, and as I went along, was begging God to give 
me a text, and assist my meditation. The words impressed 
on my mind were — l Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and 
there is none upon earth 1 desire besides thee*,' There is a 



330 GODLY JEALOUSY OVER SELF, PRESCRIBED. 174$. 

God in heaven. He is my God. I have none in heaven, I 
have none on earth, comparable with him in my esteem. 
Then, as surely as God is in heaven, he will bring, he will 
receive me thither. ' My flesh and my heart ' will fail, must 
fail ; and let them fail, since c God is the strength of my 
heart and my portion for ever.' 'This God is my God 
for ever and ever, and will be my guide even unto 
death.' I have chosen him for my God and portion: but, 
I should never have chosen him, if he had not chosen me 
first, and directed my choice : I should never have loved 
him, if he had not first ' loved me with everlasting love, 
and with loving-kindness drawn me/ 'What shall I render 
to the Lord for all his mercies toward me !' 

GODLY JEALOUSY OVER SELF, PRESCRIBED. 
To his daughter Kirkpatrick. 

Kidderminster, August 26, 174Q. 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

How well does a temper of habitual thankfulness to our 
great and good Benefactor, become creatures to whom he 
owes no obligation, but is, nevertheless, daily loading with 
benefits ! We could not fail to cultivate such a temper, were 
we mindful, as the Psalmist was, to l set the Lord always 
before us.' You and I have peculiar motives for thankful- 
ness. When it pleased God at first to give me prosperity, 
it proved a snare. I grew too much in love with it, and 
valued myself too highly on it ; for which, God was pleased 
to humble me to the dust, and if possible, below the dust. 
— -I now see reason to bless and love him as long as I live, 
and to all eternity, for his humbling influences which he sent 
first, and his humbling providences which followed. For 
these last twenty-four years I have been jealous of prospe- 
rity, lest I should be again ensnared : this I esteem a greater 
blessing than prosperity itself, of which God hath given me 
enough. Now, I cannot but be jealous also, over each of 
my children. Allow me to say that I am jealous overyouj 



JE(.5~. SETTING THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE US. 331 

lest the great prosperity with which God hath blessed you ? 
in a fulness of worldly enjoyment, a good husband, a good 
estate, and servants to fulfil all your pleasure, should cause 
you inordinately to love the world, over-value yourself, not 
to make a suitable improvement of these mercies by exhibi- 
ting suitable fruits, and to omit to give God all the praise ; 
for great as your mercies are, if not duly improved they 
will become curses instead of blessings. Mistake me not ! 
I have neither seen nor heard any matter of which to accuse 
you, on the contrary, your deportment is more agreeable to 
me than all your outward prosperity ; but, that I am still 
jealous over you, impute only to the tenderness of a father, 
who intreats you always to maintain a godly jealousy over 
yourself, as you value that 'peace ' which our dear Saviour 
bequeathed to all his disciples; peace with God, and peace 
in your own conscience. Farewell ! I am while I breathe, 

your affectionate father, 

J. W. 

SETTING THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE US. 

To Mr. Joseph Green. 

Kidderminster, August 26, 1749- 

DEAR SIR, 

My mind hath been much impressed, every day, for a 
week past, with that text — i I have set the Lord always be- 
fore me ; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be 
moved/ It is a point of vast importance. I understand 
by it, not only a firm assent to, and hearty belief of those 
two attributes of God, his omniscience and omnipresence : 
but likewise, a practical consideration of them, or an actual 
applying them to the government of our lives : and, we must 
thus set him before us, as the supreme, the most holy, 
righteous, and the only lawgiver, and as a bountiful rewarder 
of the obedient, as well as a severe and just punisher of the 
disobedient. Not that we must necessarily think of God's 
omniscience and omnipresence every moment of our lives ; 



S32 SETTING THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE US. 1749. 

and actually apply our belief of these to the most minute 
actions of our lives. -No ; but we ought to live under such 
an habitual sense of them, as may influence the general 
course of our lives ; more particularly, in times of great 
temptation, either from prospects of pleasure, or from diffi- 
culties and dangers ; as also, in seasons of religious worship, 
whether public or private. In a time of prosperity, health, 
liberty, and fulness, we should make use of this as an anti- 
dote against the poisonous snares of such a state. In a time 
of adversity, this should compose our spirits, and reconcile 
us to the Divine dispensations, considering that God allots 
no more afflictions to his people than he sees to be good for 
them : and, how bitter soever the cup is which he puts into 
their hands, it is of his own mixing. 

The advantages of thus setting the Lord always before us 
are inexpressible. It would give a check to the first risings of 
impure, unchaste desires, and inclinations to fraud, dishonesty, 
or covetousness. It would be a most impenetrable shield 
against, and preservation from temptation. J& Joseph suc- 
cessfully argued — f How shall I do this great wickedness, 
and sin against God?' And Nehemiah could say — l So did 
not I, because of the fear of the Lord/ It would make us 
more watchful over our hearts and thoughts. Then do we 
'keep our hearts diligently/ and £ with all keeping, ? when 
we consider, that 'the eyes of the Lord are as aflame of fire/ 
and that 'he searcheth the thoughts and intents of the heart.' 
— It would be a gopd preparative for every religious duty, 
and would prevent distractions therein, as well as many care- 
less neglects of duty. It would excite us to frequent ejacu- 
latory prayer all the day long, which is an excellent means 
of increasing in holiness. If we were in our non-age, and 
were in the presence of our earthly father all day, we should 
think of many things to say to him, and ask of him. Set- 
ting the Lord always before us, would be a sharp spur, and 
a quickening motive, to all holy actions. It would greatly 



&t.57. SETTING THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE TJS. 333 

promote humility in our temper, and in our whole deportment. 
— We should be ashamed to give ourselves proud airs in the 
presence of King George ; how much more, then, in the 
presence of the King of kings ! It would tend to make us 
sincere and upright in the whole course of our lives, as it 
would lead us to think — ' If 1 regard iniquity in my heart, ' 
• shall not God search this out ? for he knoweth the secrets 
of the heart. ' It would tend to prevent, or cure, that ex- 
treme carefulness or solicitude we are so prone to about the 
affairs of this life. Finally, it would help us to rely upon 
God in every strait and exigence in life, and at the hour of, 
death. ' I have set the Lord always before me, because he 
is at. my right hand, I shall not be moved:' ' therefore 
my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth, my flesh also shall 
rest in hope.' I am persuaded, that the great difference 
apparent in the general conversation of a good man and a 
mere nominal Christian, and likewise between a good man 
and himself at different times, may be traced up to this source. 
— As Moses' ' face shone,' ' when he came down from the 
mount,' where he had so long and so intimately conversed 
with God, so whoever they be that ' set the Lord always 
before' them, it will be seen in their conversation. Happy 
they, who cau set the Lord before them, not only as their 
supreme Lord and omniscient Judge, but as their indulgent 
Father, Friend, and Saviour. 

I am well satisfied with your views in approaching the 
Lord's table. May you and I always make our approaches 
there with desires to 'see Jesus.' May he be ' known of 
us l in breaking of bread ; ' and, may we never see his body 
represented as broken, without broken hearts. May ' the 
cup of blessing ' be to each of our souls 'the communion 
of the blood of Christ.' I agree with you, that the table 
of the Lord ought not to be too severely guarded. May 
all that are admitted there, have knowledge to ' discern the 
Lord's body. ' May they all look upon the distribution of 



334 god's gift of his son* 1749, 

the elements as an exhibition of Christ with all his benefits. 
May they all have faith to receive Christ, . and to feed upon 
him : and may they all have unfeigned repentance, and sin- 
cere love to Christ, such as are productive of new obedience. 

The tea came safe to hand, but it hath lost the elegant 
flavour it had when we drank of it at Sherborne ; owing, I 
suppose, to its conveyance in paper, which, being very po- 
rous, easily admits effluvia from other goods packed up with 
it, and emits effluvia from the tea. Such are the moral ten- 
dencies of evil communications among men, which nothing 
will prevent ( like canisters for tea), but taking to us 'the 
whole armour of God.' Had the tea been packed up with 
cloves, mace, and cinnamon, it would have been tinctured 
with those sweet spices : So * he that w T alks with wise men 
shall be wise/ He that converses with heaven-born souls, 
whose ' conversation is in heaven,' whose 'treasure,' and 
whose ' hearts ' are there, will catch some sparks from their 
holy fire ; but l evil communications corrupt good manners.' 
I have put the tea into a canister, and am told it will re- 
cover its original flavour : So the pious soul, who hath 
received some ill impressions from vicious or vain conver- 
sation, will, by retiring from the world, by communing with 
his own heart, by heavenly meditation, and by fervent prayer, 
recover his spiritual ardour. Have you not experienced, in 
their turns, all the consequences I have mentioned as pro- 
ceeding from such like premises ? — I am, dear Sir, your, &c. 

J. W. 
god's gift of his son. 

Wednesday, September 6, 1749- Come, O my soul, con- 
template the love of God in giving his own, his only Son, 
to be my Saviour. How could I have borne, how^ could 
I now bear to see a child of mine stripped ; scourged with 
uncommon severity, before thousands of spectators ; treated 
with the utmost scorn ; most barbarously insulted ; and then 
put upon the rack ? Ho|y could I bear to see any one of my 



uEt.57- DUTIES OF THE NEWLY - MARRIED. ' #35 

daughters' joints distended, her whole frame convulsed with 
pain, her eyes rolling in anguish, and at last fixing upon me 
with anxious looks, and to hear her cry out to me for help 
and pity : How would every bowel roll within me, to see 
her in such extremity of pain, in the agonies of death, and 
find myself incapable of affording her any relief? But, do I 
love any child of mine, as the blessed God loves his own, 
his only begotten Son ? and, what are the sufferings I have 
described, to those of the Son of God ! Oh ! the uumeasu- 
rable love of God to a sinful world. He saw, lie appointed 
the agony and bloody sweat, the scourges, the thorns, the 
nails, and the spear, which his Son endured to redeem rebel 
worms, to redeem them from hell, their deserved portion ; 
and, advance them to heaven, which they had not at all de- 
served. Can such love be fathomed ? Can such grace be 
estimated ? What have sinners to render to him for such love ? 
Am I interested in this love ? Do I share, and shall I for 
ever share, in the fruits, the blessings, the benefits of his 
redemption ? And does not my soul say — 'What shall I render 
to the Lord ? ' Blessed Jesus, what shall I render unto 
thee, who didst ' endure the cross, and despise the shame ' 
for the sake of worthless me ! And shall I not love thee ? 
Shall 1 not praise thee ? Shall I not live to thy glory ? Shall 
I not absolutely devote myself, my all, to thee ? ' Unto him 
that loved ' me, ' and washed ' me from my ( sins in his own 
blood, and hath made' me a ' king and a priest unto God and 
his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever. Amen.' 

A SVMMARY OF DUTIES FOR THE NEWLY- 
MARRIED. 

To his daughter Kirhpatrick. 

Kidderminster, September 30, 1749. 
MY D£AR child, 
I suppose you have heard that Miss Birkett is married, 



336 DUTIES OF THE NEWLY-M ARRIED. 1749- 

and gone to live at Eaglesfield, in Cumberland. I do not 
find her husband has a great deal of the riches of this world, 
but is, it is hoped, possessed of the true riches. Her fa- 
ther very lately presented cousin John Watson with some 
advices he had sent them, of which I here supply you with 
a copy : — 

" Abstract to my son-in-law. If God in his kind 
providence have answered your prayers with regard to your 
choice of a yoke-fellow, it should be matter of rejoicing 
and thankfulness to us all. We assure you it is so to us, that 
your spouse is in all respects so agreeable to you ; but you 
must not expect to find her free from human infirmities. 
Remember, she is not an angel, nor as one of ' the spirits 
of the just made perfect. ' We would have neither you nor 
her set your expectations over-high, lest if you come to per- 
ceive you have over-valued one another at first, you should 
under-value each other afterward. The transition from one 
extreme to the other is often very facile, and sometimes too 
speedy. May the God of peace perpetuate between you a 
just and regular esteem for each other. What you say of 
your wife's satisfaction in her choice, is abundantly confirmed 
in a letter we have had from her own hand. May our deiir^ 
Jesus make you mutual blessings whilst you live." 

" Abstract to my daughter. Live on Christ by faith 
for righteousness and strength, light and guidance^ and de- 
dicate all you are and have to his service and glory. Give 
to God, the Father Son and Spirit, your supreme affection. 
Be importunate that he would take and keep possession of 
your heart. Let it be a frequent reflection in your mind — 
that he or she who loves any object more than Christ is ut- 
terly unworthy of him. Pray much for, and cherish the 
influences of the Spirit of grace ; but beware you take no- 
thing for divine influences that are not so. Tremble at the 
thought of deception or delusion. We are commanded to 
f try the spirits, ' and are told that * Satan 9 can transform 



JEt. 57- duties of the'newly-married. 337 

himself into an angel of light. ' All the operations of the 
Spirit of God are conformable to the scriptures of truth 
which he himself inspired. Discharge the duties of the 
marriage relation with diligent integrity. It will not be 
amiss sometimes to review the matrimonial solemnity, and 
to observe the obligations that are upon you. As you 
are joint-head of a family, use all becoming endeavours to 
lay a foundation and raise a superstructure of genuine Chris- 
tianity in each of its members. Who knows how God may 
succeed the weakest endeavours ; for he despiseth not ' the 
day of small things !' As much as may be, maintain a cheer- 
ful frame of mind. Never attempt compliance with the 
above advices in your own strength, but rely entirely on the 
all-sufficiency of the Redeemer's grace ; without the con- 
currence of which, we despair of ever having our best coun- 
sels made effectual for the saving benefit of you and yours ; 
for, if you leave out Christ and set up self in his place, you 
will fail in every duty, and be in danger of falling into every 
sin." 

"Abstract to son-in-law and daughter. You both appear 
very desirous of our advice and instruction. It is, indeed, 
much more easy to give, than to take good advice : We pre- 
tend not to be expert at either ; and if we were expert at 
the former, it would avail little without Divine influence to 
bring our counsels home to your hearts. In the hope, how- 
ever, that you will importunately supplicate for that influence, 
in the Name of our prevailing Intercessor, we proceed to 
meet your desires as far as we are able. — Remember then, 
that you are sinners, fallen creatures, and really need a Sa- 
viour. Be sure to give the honour of your salvation, your 
recovery from sin and misery, to none but him who has un- 
dertaken it, and is every way sufficient for that undertaking. 
Remember that he well deserves to be your Lord and Go- 
vernor, and will be both or neither. This need not disgust 

Z 



338 DUTIES OF THE NEWLY-MARRIED. 174$. 

you, for his service is perfect freedom : his l yoke is easy, 
and his burden light/ to regenerated souls. Get well esta- 
blished in the grounds of Christianity. This should have 
been the first advice, but the want of method you will excuse. 
It is much to be lamented that the greater part of those who 
call themselves Christians, are Christians on no better grounds 
than Turks are Mahomedans : they are of the religion of the 
country where they were born and educated. We wish you 
to read some of the best advocates for Christianity, they will 
enable you-to give ' a reason of the hope that is in you with 
meekness and fear. ? Make religion the governing business 
of your lives. Mind the i one thing needful/ You cannot 
love God or hate sin too much. Let your hands be diligently 
employed, but be sure to keep the world out of your hearts ; 
that is, an immoderate, sinful, anxious care about the world. 
It is a hard task, and xoe know it well, to pursue the particu- 
lar callings, assigned us by Providence, in a becoming man- 
ner, and not to exceed due bounds. A distrust of the Divine 
care for us and ours, and a neglect of diligence, prudent con- 
cern, and management, are equally faulty. They who have 
the prospect of an increasing family should use all Christian 
endeavours to provide comfortably for each of its members, 
and they should cheerfully and freely commit the success of 
their endeavours to the all-wise Creator. We hope you will 
not despise either Christ or the holiness his gospel prescribes : 
so neither ought you to contemn morality, which is of excel- 
lent use in its proper place. To love our neighbour as our- 
selves, is one of the great commands. We should ' as we 
have opportunity, do good unto all, especially unto them who 
are of the household of faifh.' It is true, charity should begin 
at home ; but it ought by no means always to stay there. True 
Christian charity is a very extensive grace. Lastly — Main- 
tain conjugal affection, and discharge conjugal duty with the 
utmost fidelity and constancy. A failure here would doubt- 
less be of the most fatal consequence. By all means avoid 



JEt. 57. DEATH OF A GRAND-CHILD. 339 

whatever may excite even the suspicion of disrespect ; and 
be sure to put the best construction on each other's words and 
actions : remember, that i charity thinketh no evil/ n 

May the blessing of heaven rest on you and yours : I hope 
it does. Do not forget in your best moments, your, &c. 

J. W. 

DEATH OF A GRAND-CHILD. 

To his daughter Hanbury. 

Reading, November 4, 1749. 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

I have been sensibly touched, and am still, with that be- 
reaving providence it hath pleased our heavenly Father, who 
1 hath done all things well/ to exercise you with. I have 
wanted to say something to you ever since T heard the mourn- 
ful tidings. I know what parental feelings are, even to those 
occasioned by bereaving dispensations. Let us, my dear, 
consider under such circumstances, that we have a God to 
go to, who allows us to make our complaints to him, though 
we may not complain of him, nor of any of his dealings. 
Whatever you do, be sure to be found daily in the exercise 
of holy love, for certainly, ' all things work together for good 
to them that love God.' I have transcribed for you the 
hymn which Mr. Darracott # made for his own use when 
under a similar affliction with yourself: — 

" In humble duty I would bow 

" Before my Father's feet : 
" Convinc'd whate'er he does is right, 

i( I cheerfully submit. 

" His gifts I thankfully would own 
" As altogether free : 

* See note, March 25, 1752. 

Z 2 



540 CHEERFUL VIEWS OF A FUTURE STATE. 1740- 

" And what he takes I can't dispute, 
6< Because he gave it me. 

** Blest be his Name ! he more does give 

" Than he will ever take ; — 
u He gives in covenant — Himself; 

" Nor will that cov'nant break I 

" My soul assured it has a part 

" In such a lasting bliss, 
" Whatever comfort he withdraws, 

u It can't that comfort miss. 

** Though all my other comforts go, 

" If but my God remain, 
< l Happy in him, I'll bear the loss 

" Without a moment's pain.' 7 

What I write to you, I write also to your husband, who h 
dear to me, and with whom I tenderly sympathize. ' Pray 
without ceasing :' pray with entire submission : pray for your- 
self, your family, your friends, and for your affectionate 
father^ 

J w. 

CHEERFUL VIEWS OF A FUTURE STATE. 

November 7, 1749- While I was waiting on that day for 
my breakfast in my inn, at Beacon sfleld, I observed, on a 
pane of the parlour-window, the following lines : — 

" Distrust and darkness of a future state 

" Make poor mankind so fearful of their fate : 

" Death in itself is nothing ; but we fear 

" To be, we know not what, we know not where.'* 

I pitied the ingenious author. The lines were often re- 
volved in my thoughts that day ; and, in the evening, being 
alone at Watlington, my reflections on them were spun out 
in the following manner :— 



jEt.57. CHEERFUL VIEWS OF A FUTURE STATE. 341 

At Thy command I meekly yield 

My body, to the dust; 
Jesus, I trust in thee alone, 

And know in whom I trust. 

Fix thou the time : The time is fixt 

In the divine decree ; 
Call, when the time is fully come, 

And I will answer thee. 

My flesh and soul I give to thee, 

In their united state : 
And is it more to trust thee, Lord, 

With each, when separate ? 

I claim thy promise — Here below, 
To come and dwell with me ; 

And why not trust the word that says— - 
f Where I am, thou shalt be ?' 

Thy glorious angels stood prepar'd, 

Soon as the beggar died, 
His parting spirit to convey 

To faithful Abram's side : 

In all my ways those morning stars 
Have been my daily guard; 

And will they not, when loos'd from clay, 
Direct me to my Lord ? 

Soon as pale death hath clos'd my eyes, 
Those radiant sons of light 

Are present to my mental view : 
Oh ! what a joyful sight. 

They'll bear me up in friendly hands, 
To regions yet unknown, 

z3 



342 HABITUAL PEAISE INCULCATED. 

And, wafted o'er ethereal seas, 

Safe land me near thy throne. 



1749* 



How glorious is thy gift of faith, 

That cheers the darksome tomb, 

And through the damp, the noisome grave, 
Can shed a rich perfume ! 

Precious the faith that lifts the soul 

Above desponding fear, 
Joyful in hope of heav'n her home, 

And longing to be there. 

THE CHRISTIAN DUTY OF HABITUAL PRAISE 
INCULCATED. 

To his daughter Kirkpatrick. 

Kidderminster, November 20, 1 749- 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

As it is nearly a month since you went to Southampton, 
these lines may find you in possession of your best friend ; 
and may they find your health and strength much restored. 
The same kind Providence which has so often bade me go and 
return in health and prosperity, made my late south journey 
the most complete scene of travelling mercies ever afforded 
to me on that circuit. Such was the indulgence of that 
wondrous Being whose right, or left hand of command or 
permission, is in every event. Oh ! that I could act strictly 
up to that precept of an inspired penman — ' In every thing 
give thanks/ Sure I am, a life of thankfulness must be the 
most happy life ; for what can more contribute to the cure 
of impatience and fretfulness, and to produce a state of true 
Christian contentment? I say Christian contentment; be- 
cause it is one thing to be content from affluence and a ful- 
ness of creature comfort, than which nothing can be more 
precarious ; and it is another thing to be content from a 
sense of the Divine love, joined with an humble sense of our 






jgt.oS. HABITUAL PRAISE INCULCATED. 343 

uiiv.oi thiness and a grateful sense of onr infinite obligations. 
Not only when we are eating and drinking, putting on our 
necessary apparel, or warming ourselves by a good fire : 
not only when in the evening we recount the mercies of the 
day, or in the morning those of the night, but we should 
continually and habitually take occasion from every occur- 
rence to ascend to God in devout aspirations of praise. It 
is said of good Nehemiah when king Artaxerxes inquired of 
him what request he had to make, that Nehemiah immedi- 
ately, in the king's presence, ' prayed to the God of heaven :' 
in like manner, we should take occasion, in whatever place 
or in whatever company, not indeed always with our lips, 
but always with our hearts, to praise God. To instance in 
some particulars : — You see a necessitous person, and afford 
relief ; instantly and ardently praise God that you are not 
that wretched and indigent person ; that you abound in all 
the gifts of providence ; and that God has given you a heart 
to pity and relieve creatures made after his similitude : thus 
your grounds for praise are threefold ! Again : You hear a 
wretch swear profanely; immediately bless God who hath 
put his fear into your heart ; for who else ' made you to dif- 
fer ?' You overtake or meet a poor person trudging* on foot, 
perhaps carrying a burden too ; bless God that you have 
money in your pocket and are not subjected to such toil and 
indigence. You see your servant employed in some act of 
drudgery ; bless God who hath made you the head, and im- 
plore him for grace that you may walk worthy of your station. 
You converse with a person who discovers great ignorance 
of the things which belong to our peace ; bless God who 
hath given you a knowledge of himself. You hear a minister 
preach and engage in holy things excellently ; or, you hear a 
private Christian pray well, and speak of God with pious 
skill j bless him who hath put such * treasure into earthen 
vessels.' Thus, if you will but make this fruitful subject 
your study, and habitually practice accordingly, you will 
z 4 



344 PROMOTING PIETY IN A YOUTH. 1749- 

not find any occurrence which does not yield an occasion of 
praise, and that too, whether the occurrence be in itself 
good or evil. Christians it is said, have a large field for 
prayer ; and have they not a large field for praise ! What 
can be better for them, or tend more to humility ? Thank- 
fulness and humility go hand in hand, they embrace each 
other. Let me persuade you, I hope you are already per- 
suaded, vigorously to attempt this course of praise | and tell 
me in your next letter whether you do not find it the best ex- 
pedient to supply the want of private opportunities, and an 
excellent preparatiye for every kind of religious ordinances. 
It may be objected to some things I have advanced, that 
there is but one instance recorded in the Bible of thanking 
God that we are not as other men, and that is blamed by 
our Saviour. To this I answer — he spake that parable, 
not to reprove any who humbly bless God for distinguishing 
grace ; but to reprove those who ' trusted in themselves that 
they were righteous, and despised others.' 

May showers of blessings be constantly descending on you 
and yours : so wishes your ever affectionate father, 

J. W. 
PROMOTING PIETY IN A YOUTH. 

To the Rev. R. Pearsall. 

Pecember gO, 1749. 

DEAR BROTHER, 

My daughter Kirkpatrick's second disappointment in the 
loss of a son, was to me a tender stroke : but, through grace, 
I hope never to be dissatisfied with any instance of adversity. 
'It is the Lord, let him do with me/ and with mine, 'as 
seemeth good in his sight/ ' The Lord gave, and the Lord 
hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord/ He 
hath given me himself to be i my portion/ and not any lose- 
able creature-enjoyments. Should he see meet to take away 
my most important relative, I hope, with 'Aaron/ to hold 



^7.58. PROMOTING PIETY IN A YOUTH. 345 

my ' peace.' One little incident let me mention to you. I 
crossed over to the Isle of Wight, intending to return to Ports- 
mouth the next day. A horse was lent me from Newport 
to Ryde, but the vessel was gone off sooner than usual. A 
butcher's apprentice, a youth about seventeen,- was sent to 
bring back the horse, whom I took up behind me, and re- 
turned to Newport. Having a companion, I had a mind to 
make the best I could of him, and do the best I could for 
him. I began with the Ten Commandments, catechising 
him, expounding them to him, and inculcating them upon 
him. He seemed to drink in knowledge, as the thirsty earth 
drinks in the rain ; saw clearly the reasonableness of every 
command, and his answers most humbly, and tenderly, and 
thankfully echoed to all I told him. When we were come to 
the last mile, I thought it time to ask him if he could so 
carefully and punctually observe all these commandments, as 
thei tby to obtain heaven ? He roundly answered " Ay, I hope 
so." I then laboured to undeceive him, assuring him, that 
no man, no, not the holiest and best man upon earth, could 
do it. At this he seemed astonished. I then, in the plain- 
est manner I could, set before him the gospel method of 
salvation by Jesus Christ, and what a friend the Lord Jesus 
Christ is to us sinners. The poor youth could not suffi- 
ciently express his thankfulness ; and told me often he had 
never heard so much before, and promised me over and over 
to read, and pray, and follow every rule I prescribed him, 
and when he had 'done all/ trust in Jesus Christ alone for 
salvation. I persuaded him to apply, himself, to my son-in- 
law Kirkpatrick, to whom I said I would speak on his be- 
half, to give him Baxter's Call, and other books. The lad. 
seemed ravished and amazed at what he had heard. I was 
highly delighted with my disappointment, and should be glad 
to meet with such a one every day of my life, be the issue 
what pleases God, 



346 1UKEWARMNESS LAMENTED. 1749-50. 

LUKEWARMNESS LAMENTED. 

To Mr. Joseph Green. 

Kidderminster, December 23, 1 749. 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

You express shame for your slow advances in the way of 
religion and duty ; and, for the coolness of your love and 
gratitude to, and of your zeal for the honour and interest of 
your Creator and Redeemer. It is well that you are sensible 
of your short-comings in these respects : It is better still if 
you be filled with an humble, holy shame on these accounts. 
I have reason enough to take up the same lamentation ; and 
so, I believe, hath the most eminent saint upon earth, in 
some degree. We none of us bear that love and gratitude 
to, or zeal for the honour and interest of God and Christ, 
which our obligations thereto require : but, let us beware 
how we deceive ourselves in a matter of infinite importance. 
It is a sad state to be 'lukewarm* neither cold nor hot/ It 
is better, in our Saviour's judgment, to be cold than nei- 
ther cold nor hot. There is an absolute need of a cure. 
How may this lukewarmness be cured? The infallible recipe 
from the great Physician is this — 'I counsel thee to buy of 
me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich ; and white 
raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of 
thy nakedness do not appear ; and anoint thine eyes with 
eye-salve, that thou mayest see/ Wonderful condescension! 
He does not command us as a Sovereign, but counsel us as 
a, Friend. Christ will have none but a* willing' people. 
All his soldiers must be volunteers. What is this gold, but 
faith and holiness ? What is the white raiment, but the 
* righteousness of the saints,' with which it 'was granted, 
that the Lamb's wife should be arrayed?' So that it was not 
a righteousness of her own, but a granted, a given righteous- 
ness, even the meritorious righteousness of Christ imputed 
to her. What is this eye-salve, but the illuminating influ- 



JPt.5S. THE CONVERSION OP A FHIEND PROPOSED. 347 

ences of the Holy Spirit ? As for Christ's counsel, that we 
should buy these things of him, it refers to that prophetical 
and evangelical invitation — ' Ho, every one that thirsteth, 
come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come 
ye, buy and eat, yea, come, buy wine and milk without 
money, and without price/ How is it possible we should 
give our Saviour an adequate price for his heavenly blessings! 
No ; his grace is free. Yet, something is implied in our 
buying them, and what can it be but humble, and ob diertt 
believing on him? That is all the price we can possibly give. 
Accordingly, we find the promise of eternal life so often 
made to believing. 'He that believeth on the Son hath 
everlasting life ; and he that believeth not,' or disobey eth i the 
Son, shall not see life.' It is hard to believe, because it is 
contrary to our natural pride, empties the creature, humbles 
the soul, and makes us to see ourselves to be nothing, that 
the Lord alone may be exalted. To the renewed soul, it is 
easy, yea delightful, so to believe as to lie at the feet of 
Jesus in low prostration ; and there, he will desire to lie in 
time and to all eternity : when he is thus abased he is most 
safe. Thus may your soul prosper. I am, dear Sir, your &c. 

J. W. 

AN ENDEAVOUR TO PROMOTE THE CONVERSION 
OF A FELLOW-TRAVELLER PROPOSED. 

* To his 7iephezt) Watson* 

Kidderminster, February 13, 1750. 

DEAR COUSIN, 

It is my prayer to God that you may be instrumental in 
awaking your fellow-traveller to serious consideration, and 
of enlightening his mind with the knowledge of Christ, so 
that his will may be renewed. The conversion of precious 
souls is God's prerogative ; it is the work of the Spirit ; and 
the most honourable employment in the world is to be a 

* Then at Kendal, on a journey. 



348 OVERLOOK NOT THE CAUSER OF CAUSES. 17<50. 
worker therein together with God. " Join hands with God 
to make a man to live/' is a powerful argument for alms- 
giving, used by Herbert. What can fire holy ambition if 
such a thought applied to the present case will not ! God 
will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge 
of the truth : for this end he hath given his only-begotten 
Son that men l might live through him f and for this end he 
hath given us the word of life ; but men, not angels, must 
hold it forth to their fellow men. Let us then, (l join hands 
■with God to make" Mr. O, "live" in newness of life, a 
divine life, which may grow up to life everlasting. Be not 
discouraged, 'it is God who worketh'with us, as well as 
^in' us 'both to will and to do of his good pleasure/ Our 
reward will be sure, whether his soul be gathered into Christ's 
fold or not ; for he that refused to make David the builder 
of his house, told him — 'Thou didst well that it was in thine 
heart. 5 God accepts the will for the deed. I am going, by 
and by, to a meeting of prayer, and you and your companion 
shall be commended to the grace of God, Oh! that Jesus 
would be entreated to make one with you, as he did with 
the two disciples going to Emmaus, and make both your 
hearts to 'burn within' you. Do not be afraid to tell him 
that you fear he is yet 'in the gall of bitterness, and in the 
bond of iniquity.' The Lord direct and bless you in all 
things. I am with endeared affection your loving uncle, 

J, W. 

CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT OVERLOOK THE 

CAUSER OF CAUSES. 

To Mrs. Richards, 

Kidderminster, March \5, 1750. 

MY BEAR SISTER, 

What a wonderful thing is ' the fear of God !' It swal- 
lows up all other fear. Nor is ' the love of God' in Christ, 
less wonderful ; for it mortifies, or moderates at least, all 



JEt. 58 OVERLOOK NOT THE CAUSER OF CAUSES. 3W 

other love ! No fear is so distressing as that which comes 
on hypocrites and bold transgressors, and no courage so he- 
roic as that which arises from the fear of God. This holy 
fear is ever accompanied with faith : now faith applies the 
promises, making them all in Jesus Christ ' yea' and ' amen .' 
it beholds God reconciled, our pardon sealed, and our names 
'written in the Lamb's book of life.' Who then, with faith 
and a good conscience can entertain a slavish fear ? The 
possessors of them are safe under all events : they ' shall not 
be afraid of evil tidings whose hearts are fixed, trusting in 
the Lord :' they { shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be 
moved.' 

The account of the first earthquake at London excited in 
me hopes rather than fears, and I sensibly found the account 
of the second, increase them in proportion to its attendant 
circumstances.* In a measure, I cannot but rejoice in these 
exertions of our heavenly Father's tremendous power ; and 
that he has given a proud, sinful city and nation, such de- 
monstrations that he can easily destroy us, and yet destroys 
us not. It grieves me, however, that so many persons are 
busy in searching out the natural, rather than the supernatu- 
ral cause of the concussions. The sun gives light and heat ; 
but, who made the sun ? It would be preposterous, atheist- 
ical philosophy, to ascribe to the sun what is due to its Crea- 
tor and Regulator ! Fire, water, and air, are doubtless, se- 
condary causes of earthquakes, but wherefore should we over- 
look the Causer of causes ; — ' He looketh on the earth, and 
it trembleth ; he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.' My 
dear sister, ' let none of these things move' you ; l the foun- 
dation of God standeth sure, having this seal — The Lord 
knoweth them that are his ;' such ' shall be hid in the day of 
his anger/ What though you be exercised with afflictions, 

* On Thursday, February 8, between twelve and one o'clock, P. M, 
and Thursday, March 8, between five and six, A, M. 



350 AN ADMONITION TO THE CLERGY. 17501 

1 all things shall work together for good to them that love 
God.' I remain, your truly affectionate brother, 

J. W. 

AN ADMONITION TO THE CLERGY OF THE 
ESTABLISHMENT. 

To the Rev. Nicholas Pearson.* 

Kidderminster, March 31, 1?50« 

REV. SIR, 

I love and honour Mr* Whitefield, as one, to use the words 
of Dr. Doddridge — "Whom the Lord hath highly honour- 
ed." Yea, I esteem him, after a great many hours' personal 
conversation, second to none I know of all the human race, 
all things considered : I greatly rejoice that, by his instru- 
mentality, many hundreds, perhaps many thousands, have 
been awakened from a death in sin to a life of righteousness. 
It is full six years since I heard good old Mr. Blake, of 
Blandford,f say — " He verily believed Mr. Whitefleld was 
commissioned and sent forth by the Holy Ghost :" neverthe- 
less, I am far from approving all he has done, or all he has 
said. I apprehend there has been a considerable mixture of 
enthusiasm, and something of vain-glory ; and I am glad he 
has humility enough to acknowledge it publicly. Let me 
trouble you with a quotation from the ingenious and pious 
Dr. Hartley : — " There are great complaints made of the ir- 
regularities of the Methodists, and I believe not without rea- 
son. The surest means to check these irregularities is for 
the clergy to learn from the Methodists what is good in 
them ; — to adopt their zeal and concern for lost souls. This 

* For a short time dissenting minister at Newport, Isle of Wight, 
t The Rev. Malachi Blake, who died February 15, 1760. For an ac- 
count of him see Wilson's History of Dissenting Churches, vol. ii. p. 
276, note. In addition, it may be remarked of the church at Blandford, 
that Mr. B. and the Rev. Henry Field have successively been pastors, 
for the unprecedented period of 104 years. 



j£t.58. THE IRRATIONALITY OF PRIDE, &C. 351 

would soon unite all that are truly good among the Metho- 
dists to the clergy, and disarm such as are otherwise." # 

THE IRRATIONALITY OF PRIDE, &C. 

To his nephew TVatson.f 

Kidderminster, May 2, 1750. 

DEAR COUSIN, 

Mr. ##### breathed his last yesterday morning. Two 
years ago he was at the top of his honour ; this year he is a 
prey for worms. ' Every man, at his best state, is altogether 
vanity.' How inexcusable and irrational is pride, or covet- 
ousness, in mortals ! Such examples should 'mortify' our 
pride, covetousness, voluptuousness, our l every inordinate af- 
fection :' and that is not enough ; for nothing but the love 
of Christ and faith working by love, will humble us to the 
dust, crucify us to the world, and purify our hearts. We 
shall never be dead to terrene enjoyments till we know that 
our life i is hid with Christ in God.' Lord! teach us the 
heavenly art, to weep as though we wept not, to rejoice as 
though we rejoiced not, and to buy and sell as though we 
possessed not, but were stewards only ' of the unrighteous 
mammon ;' and may ' we use this world as not abusing it.' 
As Mr. Baxter sings — 

" My grave and coffin are at hand ; 
" My glass hath but a little sand ; 
" Now 1 am writing — but anon, 
" They'll also say of me — He's gone !" 

For ever adored be that Power which enables me with 
cheerful confidence to adopt the following lines : — 
" Then I shall see that shining face, 
" Which is the glory of yon place." 

Yet, I may well continue to say, with the author — 

* Observations on Man, Ed. 1749, vol. ii. p. 452. 
f Then at Newport, Isle of Wight, on a journey. 



352 DISSUASIVES FROM ANXIETY* 1750, 

u But lest in vain I hope and run. 
" Lord ! perfect what thou hast begun." 
Dear cousin, every day your interests are warm in my 
mind. Do not forget, on your part, your loving uncle and 
faithful partner, 

J. W. 
DISSUASIVES FROM ANXIETY. 

To his daughter Hanbury. 

Lancaster, August 5, 1750. 

MY DEAR PHEBE, 

Though you are yourself a parent, and, together with 
your consort, at the head of a family of your own, yet I re- 
member, yea and feel as sensibly as ever, that you are still 
my child, and I tenderly sympathize with you under the 
burdens it pleases our heavenly Father to lay upon you. 
When you see others of your own sex, and under similar 
circumstances, enjoying health of body and cheerfulness, no 
doubt many uneasy reflections are excited, But, will my 
dear child weigh in an even balance, her mercies over- 
against her afflictions, her comforts over-against her crosses, 
and then judge whether she hath any cause to repine ! or 
rather, whether she hath not cause for abundant thankful- 
ness ! Especially if she do consider that she hath ail her 
mercies from her Sovereign, to whom she hath forfeited 
every mercy. O my dear child, cultivate by all possible, 
by all prescribed means, that temper recommended by the 
great apostle — to ' be careful for nothing/ Consider your- 
self as nothing but what God makes you to be, as having 
nothing but what his bounty hath given you to possess, as 
capable of doing nothing but what he gives you abilities and 
qualifications to perform. Consider him as ( All in all,' 
and yourself as sent into the world to answer the purposes 
of his wisdom and grace. The more you do this, the more 
you will find ' all things work together' for your i good.' 

The decaved health of youi mother affects me much. I 



JEt. 5S. disappointments to be acquiesced in. 353 

was sorry to leave her, but it could not be well avoided. 

Urge her to use means, and to take farther advice, the best 

that can be had ; let no cost be spared. I know God alone 

is the great Physician : but means must be used in depend- 

ance on his blessing. 

My dear child, I commit you to God. Trust in him at 

all times. ' In every thing by prayer and supplication, with 

thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God.V 

He will hear you when you ' call' upon him. ' Be strong 

in the Lord, and in the power of his might:' and when 

nearest to him do not forget your affectionate parent, 

J. W. 

DISAPPOINTMENTS OF PROVIDENCE TO BE 
ACQUIESCED IN. 

To his daughter Kirkpatrick. 

(On a north journey), August — 1750. 

MY DEAR ESTHER, 

I take as kind your concern that I should receive a letter 
from you before 1 left home. Glad I am that the Lord 
hath dealt graciously in restoring, in so good a measure, your 
health and strength. You receive the mercies, I hope, with 
great thankfulness, and are studious chiefly to improve them 
to his glory, in whose hand is your life with all your ways. 
The more you make his glory your care, the better security 
will there be for present as well as future blessings : and the 
more you love God you will find 'that all things are work- 
ing together for your good,' even those providences which, 
at present, seem most to cross your pleasing expectations. 
Use all possible means, my dear child, for cultivating the 
great apostle's exhortation — to 'be carefulf for nothing.' Re- 
gard yourself as nothing ; as being nothing but what God 
has made you to be ; as having nothing but what he has 
given you ; as capable of doing nothing without ability to 

A A 



354 DISAPPOINTMENTS TO BE ACQUIESCED IN. 1750.. 

perform from him ; and as capable of enjoying nothing, but 
what his presence and blessing make delightful. He is 'AH 
in all ;* therefore, every thing he doth is right. Look on your- 
self as sent into the world for no other end than to answer 
the purposes of his wisdom and grace, and use every mercy 
he gives only in a subserviency to that end ; consider all your 
enjoyments as portions of his bounty ; and let it satisfy you 
under afflictions and disappointments that his will is done in 
and upon you. ' No good thing will the Lord God with- 
hold from them that walk uprightly/ Is this your charac- 
ter ? then what has been withheld would not have been good 
for you in time past, but be assured, when it is good for you 
it shall no longer be withheld. Oh ! that you and I could 
entirely acquiesce in the will of our heavenly Father. Is it 
not enough that he hath enabled us to say — e My beloved is 
mine, and I am his ;' not enough, that Jesus hath * loved us, 
and washed us from our sins in his own blood !' Do we 
* know in whom we have believed,' and are we ' persuaded* 
that he will ' keep that which we have committed unto him 
against that day ?' then you will join with me in these lines : — 

By nature vile, by nature blind, 

And wand'ring far astray ! 
Has Christ the dim suffusion clear'd, 

And wash'd my sins away ? 

Is pardon purchas'd with his blood ? 
Have I that grace receiv'd ? 
• Is my salvation nearer now, 
Than w'hen I first believ'd ? 

What glorious, animating views, 

Does this unfold to me — 
God is my ' reconciled God,' 

And Jesus I shall see ! 

'Twas wond'rous pow'r ! abounding grace I 
Restor'd niy ruin'd frame. 



ACt,58. INCULCATING RESIGNATION. 355 

What shall I render, O my soul, 
To the victorious Lamb. 

" Give me thy heart is my request, 

" That boon I will receive :" 
Lord, if a thousand hearts were mine, 

A thousand hearts I'd give ! 

And then, too cool were my desires ! 

Too slow, affections move ! 
Lord, send down coals of heav'nly fire, 

And make my soul All Love! 

I received a letter at Preston, from my nephew, dated the 
30th past, it contains the disagreeable news that your mother, 
who was somewhat better when I left home, has been much 
declining since. Her constitution seems so much broken 
by the frequent returns of her disorders within these three 
months, that I cannot but greatly fear the issue. Farewell, 
my dear child. Pray for me, as I daily pray for you and 
yours. I remain, your affectionate father, 

J.W. 

INCULCATING RESIGNATION. 

To his daughter Hanbury. 

Bristol, October 27, 1750. 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

I am indeed grieved for you, and tenderly sympathize with 
you in the affliction our heavenly Father is again exercising 
you with : # but can we complain ? Yes, we may complain ; 
but let us not murmur. i It is well,' and it will be well. ' All 
things work together for good to them that love God/ Who 
does not see God's paternal tenderness to you in delaying 
this visitation so long, whilst you were less able to bear it . ? 
He is now trying you, trying your husband, trying me, 
and every one of us, whether we can trust in his hands a life 

* See November 4, 1749, 

aa2 



$56 his wife's death. 1750' 

lie hath so often made his care, a life he hath so often rescued 
from the most imminent danger. Do, my dear, give up your 
child to God, whose he is, to deal with him how he pleaseth. 
Do it unreservedly, and not by halves. Believe it reason- 
able, that God should do what he will with his own. What 
did you mean, what was the language of your heart, when 
you devoted him to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, 
in baptism, according to Christ's institution ? Did you not 
then acknowledge God's absolute right to dispose of him, as 
he should see fit ? And will you not abide by that surrender: 
This is the way to have him spared. If there be any creature 
we make an idol of, no wonder the Lord, if he hath a love 
for us, remove it out of the w r ay, that he may have our whole 
heart. I say not this to reproach you ; no, nor to reprove 
you — far from it — but to quicken you, that you may be quite 
absolute and unreserved in your surrender of this dear child 
to the Lord. ' Though he' should \ slay' the child ; though 
he should slay you ; still resolve — ' Yet will I trust in him/ 
I have a cheerful hope the Lord will be ' entreated :' and I 
would have you hope in his mercy. Assure yourself I shall 
not cease to pray for his life ; but, with all due resignation. 
Hath God, who fills heaven and earth, who 'inhabiteth eter- 
nity/ made over himself to you, to be your l portion/ to be 
your God in covenant? You cannot, then, withhold any 
thing from him. Is he your God ? That is enough ! ' He 
will guide you by his counsel, and afterward receive you to 
glory.' In the mean time, he will cause 'all things to work 
together for your good.' To his blessing I commend you, 
who am your sympathizing parent, 

J. w. 
his wife's death. 

Friday, December 7, 1750. My dear wife was all the 
summer in a bad state of health. 1 took her to Bath, where 
I attended her three weeks ; but her recovering some strength 
seemed to be remarkably owing to her journey home. At 



J5/.59- his wife's death. 357 

her desire, I set out on the south journey in October : 
u For," says she, " I apprehend this will be a lingering ill- 
ness, and probably I may want your company more during 
the journey after Christmas than this." I received several 
favourable letters, but she departed November 28,* and the 
awful event was hid from me till the 4th instant, when a spe- 
cial messenger, Mr. B. Lea, met me at Bengworth, with 
whom I hastened home to pay the last sad office of love. 
From the grave we went directly to the meeting-house, where 
her funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Fawcett, on words 
of her own choosing, which she had often comfortably adopts 
ed : — ' I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded 
that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him 
against that day.' Mr. Fawcett had been asking her some 
questions relating to the state and temper of her mind, and 
she let him know — " The tempter was restrained ; that she 
had a cheerful, stedfast hope in Christ, and had not a doubt." 
She had enjoyed a more comfortable state of mind in gene- 
ral the last two years, than perhaps any other two years of her 
life. In my journey, October 1748, she told me in one of 
her letters — "After you were gone, Hetty being married, and 
Sally gone to be with her for a time, I seemed to myself as 
one forlorn, bereft of all earthly friends. Upon this I was 
very pensive ; but, recollecting myself, I retired to my closet, 
and tried if I could not find an all-sufficient Friend there : 
the Lord was pleased to ' lift up the light of his counte- 
nance upon me,' and to afford me such sweet tokens of his 
presence, that my soul rejoiced ' in the God of my salvation.' 
'I had all' things 'and abounded. I was full/ and hardly 
missed your company." Before that, she sometimes had 
her liftings up, and at others her castings down ; but, from 
that time, I think her hopes constantly prevailed. Also, she 
was often complaining to me, that although she had many 
waking hours every night, she could not get her mind to en- 

* Aged sixty-one. 
A A 3 



358 GOB, HIS REFUGE IN AFFLICTION. ] 750. 

gage on spiritual and divine subjects. Afterward, it was 
otherwise in this respect, and many a morning, at my first 
awaking, she hath told me, with an air of devotion and thank- 
fulness, how sweet her waking hours had been to her ; and, 
hath related to me some particular passages of scripture 
which had been impressed on her mind, and the breathings 
excited and drawn out thereby ; and sometimes she hath 
mentioned her particular evidences and tokens of the Divine 
favour. As her sickness, pains, and weakness increased, so 
did her patience and resignation to the will of God. Very 
remarkable were her humility and thankfulness for the care 
taken of her. When I proposed and urged her going to 
Bath, she thought herself not worthy so much cost and pains, 
and expressed great thankfulness for every thing that was 
done for her. Under the discipline of the rod, she ripened 
apace for a better world. Her i path/ like that ' of the just,' 
shone ' more and more unto the perfect day/ But, it still 
hangs heavy on my spirits, that I should be absent from her, 
when her dissolution approached. Blessed be God, who 
did not then hide himself from her, but gave her living com- 
forts in her dying moments. Farewell, thou dearest partner 
of my heart. Lord, hasten the time, when ' I shall go to 
her,' since ' she shall not return to me !' 

GOD, HIS REFUGE IN AFFLICTION. 
To the Rev* Thomas Randall.* 

Kidderminster, December 26, 1/50. 

DEAR SIR, 
I was favoured with yours of the 15th past, at London, 
where I arrived in health and safety the 24th, having had 
rich and large experience of His preserving care, who num- 
bers the hairs of our heads, and in whose 'hand' our 'times 
are.' I condole with you and your spouse, on the unexpected 
disaster which so suddenly dashed your blooming hopes, 

* Late of Stirling. He died July 25, 1780, aged 70., 



jEt. 59. GOD, HIS REFUGE IN AFFLICTION. 359 

But, all things are of God ; and, to his hand you do wisely 
to refer all. You know 'all things work together for good 
to them that love him/ I shall be glad, nevertheless, to 
hear, by your next, that he is turning the captivity of Mrs. 
Randall ; and for this, you may be assured, I have been 
'striving with you in my prayers to God for you/ 

You will expect me to say something of my own affairs. 
Alas! I may say with Job — 'The thing which I greatly 
feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is 
come unto me/ I feel, in a much greater degree than ever 
before, the poignancy of those lines in Dr. Young's Night 
Thoughts : — 

" Thought ! busy thought ! too busy for my peace, 
" Strays, wretched rover ! o'er the pleasing past, 
" In quest of wretchedness, perversely strays, 
" And finds all desert now, and meets the ghosts 
" Of my departed joys, a num'rous train. 
" I rue the riches of my former state. 
" Sweet comfort's blasted clusters make me siglt. 
" I tremble at the blessings, once so dear, 
" And ev'ry pleasure pains me to the heart." 

My dear Phebe, whose memory will be always dear to me, 
took her flight on the evening of November 28; but the thing 
was entirely hid from me till the evening of December 4. 
It was not only with her full consent, but partly at her 
desire, that I left her to undertake my late long journey. 
The first three accounts I had by post of her health, were 
all encouraging ; the fourth not so ; and the fifth very en- 
couraging again ; the sixth, which found me at London, was 
the most discouragiug of all : yet did I not from that gather 
any apprehension that her end was near. My children sent a 
person to meet me more than twenty miles from home; and 
when I saw him at the Inn, from which he called to 
me, I had no suspicion, or misgiving thought, what migh 

A A 4 



360 GOD, HIS REFUGE IN AFFLICTION. 1750. 

occasionhimto be there. When I askedhim — " How does my 
wife do?" he cheerfully replied — "When I saw her last, 
she was much as when you left her." This looked pretty 
"well : but when I inquired farther — " When did you see 
her? When did you come from home ?" and found he was 
beginning to answer me in a studied, formal, circumlocutory 
way, then my heart began to throb. 

This, beyond all dispute, is the heaviest stroke I ever 
felt, and oft-times heavier by night than by day: for when 
I say — 'My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my 
complaint/ alas ! it renews my sorrows ; it is strowed with 
pricking thorns, and furnishes gloomy ideas. I have often 
had limbs of myself broken off, and torn away from me, and 
felt the throbbings of a father's heart, and was still solaced 
and cheered by the presence and conversation of my other 
self: but, now that my other self is divided, is separated 
from me, is torn away from my embraces, to whom shall I 
flee for consolation ? Indeed, the burial service furnishes a 
pertinent answer: — " Of whom shall we seek for succour, 
but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?" 
W T hat should 1 do now, if I had not a God to go to ? I 
would not part with the hope 1 have of an interest in his 
covenant love, for all our king's dominions. I pity poor 
wretches, who. amidst all their pomp and luxury, acknowledge 
no God, or 'whose God is their belly/ their wealth, or their 
honour: therefore, I have great reason to bless a 'taking/ as 
well as a 'giving' God. He taught me, fifteen months ago, 
more than ever before, 'in every thing to give thanks.' I have, 
since that, been longer and more frequently in a praising frame, 
than in any other fifteen months of my life. This, I think, I 
have found to contribute not a little to give me a sense of my 
obligations to him, and to lay me humbly and submissively at 
his feet. I will praise him who did not take her away whilst 
my children were young, and more dependant on her mater- 
nal care, I will praise him who crowned the thirty-one 



j£t.59- GOD, HIS HHFUGE IN AFFLICTION. 36l 

years of our marriage-union, as Mr. Philip Henry observes 
concerning his own, with more than thirty-one thousand mer- 
cies. I will praise him, that, through the whole, and particularly 
in her last long illness, she wanted no assistance, no comfort, 
no convenience of life, (except my presence with her at 
last), which money could buy, or Christian friendship afford. 
I will praise him for the growing hope she had of eternal 
life, and the cheering prospect of a blissful immortality ; that 
she was not afraid to die, but had a complete victory over the 
great enemy of nature ; for she knew whom she had believed, 
as she had often expressed during her weakness, and par- 
ticularly the day of her departure, when Mr. Fawcett, just 
before he kneeled down by her bedside, proposed some 
questions to her, to all which she answered cheerfully and 
satisfactorily : this was a direction to him to choose that pas- 
sage for the subject of her funeral sermon : — i For I know 
whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to 
keep that which I have committed unto him against that 
day.' Above all, I will praise and bless * the God and Fa- 
ther of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abun- 
dant mercy, hath begotten again' unworthy me ' unto a lively- 
hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.' I 
will praise him that I i sorrow not' as one that hath 'no hope/ 
but can pursue her departed spirit, trace its wondrous way, 
and realize to myself her unseen, unknown blessedness and 
glory, in the confidence of faith that I shall not only follow, 
but overtake her i who through faith and patience, doth now 
inherit the promises :' ' This is all my salvation, and all my 
desire.' Indeed, I very sensibly adopt these lines of Dr. 
Young : — 

" I lov'd her much, but now 1 love her more: 
i( Like birds, whose beauties languish, half conceal'd, 
" Till mounted on the wing, their glossy plumes, 
" Expanded, shine with azure, green, and gold : 
" How blessings brighten as they take their flight !" 



362 MOTIVES FOR THANKFULNESS. 1751. 

May a gracious God restore Mrs. Randall, and spare you 
long to be mutual blessings. In the mean time, may your 
labours in the Gospel be crowned with signal success. 

I am not without hopes, another soul in my family is 
awakened ; one who has been a giddy, careless youth, till last 
IiOrdVday but one : then the marble began to weep under 
the morning sermon, but wept more plentifully in the after- 
noon: and I am not without hopes that the impression 
abides. God grant he may not lose his sense of religion in 
these days of idleness and vanity. You will scarcely expect 
from me the usual compliments of this season. May your 
heart and mine, and Mrs. Randall's, more and more rejoice, 
that Christ is born indeed, by this lively pledge — that our 
souls are 'born again.' May 'he, that ministereth seed to the 
sower/ 'multiply ' and fructify every handful of seed yon sow, 
1 and increase the fruits of your righteousness/ Dear Sir, your 
always rejoicing, though, at this time sorrowful friend and 
servant, 

J. W. 

MOTIVES FOR THANKFULNESS. 

To the Same. 

Kidderminster, January ]Q, 1751. 
rev. sir, 
Marry kind letters of condolence, since it pleased our 
heavenly Father to blast the sweetest, the dearest of all my 
earthly comforts, I have been favoured with ; and none of 
them, either from minister or Christian friend, hath been made 
more instructive, more consolatory, or conveyed more quiet- 
ing, silencing considerations to my heart, than yours of the 
4th instant. I thank you for it : It was a word in season : 
Oh ! that I may more especially and more warmly praise 
Him who gave it to you. Yesterday, indeed, I received one 
from the Rev. R. Darracott ; who, having seen a letter or 



JFA. 59. MOTIVES FOR THANKFULNESS. 363 

two I sent lately to my brother Pearsall, instead of condol- 
ing, congratulates me, not because God hath taken away the 
desire of my eyes ; but, because " God gave you," as he ex- 
presses himself, " such an excellent wife, and made your 
lives so comfortable for so many years ; that, he gave her 
such comfort in death, and hopes beyond it ; and, that you 
are still rejoicing behind ; rejoicing in the presence of God in 
your own soul, and in the work of God in your family." He 
then pravs I may go on thus to rejoice, and asks — " What 
should damp your joy ? Hath God made, not only with you, 
but yours, ' an everlasting covenant, well ordered in all things 
and sure/ and is not this all your salvation, and all your joy ? 
Most surely it is." 

I never received more satisfaction in my own mind, with 
regard to the departure of my dearest from me, than I did 
this morning, as I was walking in the church-yard, where I 
love to take a turn every day, sometimes more than once,and 
often cast an eye towards her grave: Not only had I a joy- 
ful liope, as 1 have all along had, that her spirit is made per- 
fect, and is now an associate of blessed saints and angels, 
but, 'or ever I was aware/ 1 felt somewhat of a ravishing sense 
of her present blissful employment and rapturous joy. It 
seemed to be some sweet, though transient, participation of 
her blessedness. I came home more than satisfied with the 
Divine, though mournful dispensation ; I came home rejoic- 
ing, assured that * he hath done all things well.' Indeed, I 
have had full satisfaction all along, that the wisdom of God, 
and even his goodness too, have had a bright display in this 
dispensation. I saw from month to month, the two last 
years of her life more especially, her evidences and her hopes 
brightening, and every grace ripening for glory. My bro- 
ther Pearsall took particular notice to me, when he was with 
us at Bath, how much riper she now seemed for heaven than 
when he was at Kidderminster the year before : and he took 
notice how much she was improved in the Divine life since 



364 MOTIVES FOR THANKFULNESS. 1751. 

his last visit. I have been very sensible that she enjoyed a 
more comfortable frame in general the last two years, than 
in any other two years of our acquaintance. I know not 
whether it might not be dated from October 3, 1748, the 
evening of that day when I set out on my south circuit. 
Somewhere I received a letter from her that journey, in which 
she told me— -that in the twilight, reflecting that Hetty was 
married, and gone to the Isle of Wight, and she might' not 
€ee her again, she knew not when ; Sally being gone to be 
with her sister for many months ; and now her husband gone 
from her for six weeks ; she seemed to herself as one forlorn, 
bereftof all her dearest earthly friends. Upon this she grew very 
pensive : but, after a while, reflecting how unprofitable it is to 
indulge such gloomy apprehensions, she resolved to go into 
her ' closet, and shut the door/ and try if she could not find 
an all-sufficient Friend there. She did so; and the Lord 
was pleased to lift upon her the light of his countenance, and 
to afford her such sweet tokens of his presence, that her soul 
could * rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of her salva- 
tion.' The sweet savour thereof seemed to abide upon her 
mind when she wrote, some weeks after, so that she could 
tell me she had all things and was full, and had scarcely 
missed our company since.: — We see, in this instance, a spe- 
cimen of the Lord's usual way of comforting his children. 
He first empties them of the creature, before he fills them 
with himself. The heart is not fit to be filled with Divine 
consolations, till creature-streams run low ; nor, will it so 
entirely lean on Christ, till creature-props are taken away. 
This, I would apply to myself in present circumstances. Oh ! 
may my soul now, and henceforward, go out more freely, 
more fully to her Beloved. May Jesus always afford me a 
bosom to lean upon. Blessed be his name, I will bear wit- 
ness for him, he is a faithful God. I was taking some pains 
a week ago, to look into the meaning of that epithet, as ap- 
plied tp God and Christ, and to the word of GocL I was 



j£t* 59. MOTIVES FOR THANKFULNESS. 365 

led into it while studying that necessary qualification of a 
bishop — l One that holdeth fast the faithful word' 1 at 
once saw, that it must in that passage be taken in a passive 
sense, viz. a gospel which may be depended upon, i sound 
doctrine, 7 a ' form of sound words,' which will not disappoint 
them who practically believe it. And, it did me good to con- 
sider, that with respect to God, it must be taken as well in a 
passive as in an active sense, a God absolutely to be depend- 
ed on. But this is a digression. — Whatever afflictions my 
dearest at any time laboured under, she could look with a 
steady faith and hope to the joyful issue of them. Before 
my October journey, she was oft complaining to me in a 
morning, that whereas she had many wakeful hours in the 
night, she could not get her mind to engage closely, or with 
a desirable coherence, in meditating on divine subjects : She 
would say, she could make little or nothing of meditation or 
prayer when in bed. Afterward it was much otherwise. — Once 
or twice, when I have accidentally been awake in the night, 
and she has thought me still asleep, I have heard her, with a 
whispering, breathing outlier soul to Him who is not dull of 
hearing by night or by day. And my youngest daughter, 
who used to lie with her in my absence, tells me to-day, that 
she hath several times heard her in like manner. It was evi- 
dent, through the many months, I think about seven or eight, 
that her health was in a declining state, her affections were 
more and more loosened from the world ; and as her sickness 
and pains, and weakness increased, so did her patience and 
resignation to the will of God. — But it still hangs heavy 
upon my spirits, that I should have been absent from her 
when her dissolution approached. — I have the pleasure of 
telling you, the arrow of conviction sticks fast in my appren- 
tice's heart.* A carnal girl, who saw' the change, but knew 
not the cause, cried out lately — " What's come to Dick of 

♦Seepage 362. 



366 FRIENDLY CONDOLENCE. 1751. 

late, he is so civil and silent !" ' Old things are passed away, 

behold, all things are become new.' I was jealous how he 

would stand the temptations of the holidays ; but they were 

nothing to him. He spent all his evenings in his chamber, 

arid does still. Blessed be God, I scarcely know any thing 

that hath contributed so much to my comfort and joy under 

my family affliction. Yours, &c. 

J. W. 

FRIENDLY CONDOLENCE. 

To the Same. 

Kidderminster, March 1, 1751. 

VERY DEAR SIR, 

It grieved me much for your sake, and that of your poor 
spouse, that those ' ministering spirits' who are * sent forth 
to minister' to the ' heirs of salvation/ had it not particularly 
in charge concerning her, so to keep her in all her ways, that 
neither her tender foot, nor the chair she rode in, might be 
1 dashed against a stone/ But what shall we say ? Was it not 
permitted, appointed, by Him who doth ' all things well' and 
wisely ? 

" Cease then, nor order imperfection name ; 

" Our proper bliss depends on what we blame. 

" Know thy own point :" — 

" Submit — in this, or any other sphere, 

" Secure, to be as blest as thou canst bear." — 

(t All nature is but art, unknown to thee ; 

" All chance, direction, which thou canst not see ; 

(i All discord, harmony, not understood ; 

" All partial evil, universal good ; 

" And, spite of pride, in erring reason's spite, 

u One truth is clear — Whatever is, is right." 

But, I rejoice to see you have a better, more Christian 
view of this matter, than ever Pope appears to me to have 
had. c In their affliction/ says our Father, ' they will seek 



jEt.O$. FRIENDLY CONDOLENCE. of)? 

me early ;' and his ways are not like the ways of the fathers 
of our flesh, who are soon tired with their children's impor- 
tunity : he loves to be sought early, earnestly, importu- 
nately : he loves it because he loves us, and knows it is al- 
ways best with us when we lie lowest before him, and keep 
nearest to him. Again, how difficult is it to use, and go on 
in the use of well approved means, with entire dependance 
on the great Efficient ! Or, if we set out right, with our eye 
fixed entirely upon him, how apt are we to grow weary of 
looking up ! Our Father will have honour from his own 
children, and he knows how to get it. Neither, are we apt 
to be thankful enough for mercies begun ; but, he will teach 
us in ' every thing,' yea, under the greatest disappointments, 
to l give thanks.' He tried Job thoroughly, and we must all 
be tried according to our measure, whether we can trust in 
him, where we cannot trace him ; and love him even when 
he frowns, or seems to frown upon us. I have been fre- 
quently recommending your case to his tender compassion, 
and hope you will quickly let me know, that he who hath 
prepared our hearts to pray, hath also inclined his ear to 
hear. 

It does my heart good every day to see how my appren- 
tice goes on, and how diligently he embraces every week- 
day opportunity, and what a thorough change is in his tem- 
per and conduct. He that was once unprofitable, is now 
profitable both to his pastor and to me. How good has God 
been in timing this his gracious visitation ! Yea, I have rea- 
son to think, that ' out of the eater came forth meat ;' that 
the removal of my dear partner, together with the many lec- 
tures of mortality it drew after it, and prayers accommodated 
thereto, were the first means of mollifying the marble, and 
preparing, it to weep under that rousing, awakening word, 
which so exactly coincided therewith. Oh ! what consola- 
tion has this afforded me. How good hath God been to me ! 
What reason have I still to trust and praise him, even unfler 







3^8 HIS DAUGHTER SARAH'S MARRIAGE. J 751 

the severest of his dispensations ! It is true, He hath taken 
away the dearest of all my earthly comforts, and I could not 
but mourn such a loss : — he expected me to mourn. He 
would not have been so well pleased to see me unconcerned, 
whilst his hand was heavy upon me : but I have not ' sor- 
rowed' as one without ' hope :' and, " why should the chil- 
dren of ? such -"a King, go mourning all their days?" He 
calls us to rejoice more than to mourn — to ' rejoice in the 
Lord alway, and again' to ' rejoice.' Yours, &c. 



PROSPERITY IN TRADE. 

Saturday night, April 13, 1751. We have had flowing 
prosperity in trade. Were my wife now alive, I should tell 
her, with an air of pleasure, if not thankfulness, as I for- 
merly have on like occasions, of the bounty of Providence to 
us : but, what is this, were it ten times more than it is, to * 
her now ? She used to be very little moved, or elevated; by 
instances of remarkable prosperity while here. What is 
buying and selling, and getting gain to her now ? They are 
now nothing to her, nothing at all 'to the spirits of just men' 
and women ' made perfect.' And, oh ! how near do / stand 
to the verge of eternity. How soon may my soul be launch- 
ed into that boundless ocean ; and then, what will all these 
things be to me ! O my soul, bless and adore, love and 
praise the bountiful Author of all thy mercies ; but, 'use this 
world' which thou must shortly leave, ' as not abusing it; 
for the fashion of this world passeth away.' My soul, 'set 
thy affections on things above,' things durable, substantial, 
and satisfactory. If my 'treasure' be there, 'there' let my 
'heart be also.' 

HIS DAUGHTER SARAH'S MARRIAGE. 

Lord's-day, September 29, 1751. Mr. Fawcett has been 
preaching a farewell-sermon to my daughter Sarah, who 
with her husband will leave this place to-morrow for their 



JFA. oQ. HIS DAUGHTER SARAH's MARRTAGE. 369 

residence in London. From the text — ' If thy presence go 
not with me, carry us not up hence/ the preacher stated that 
the special presence of God, of God the Father, of the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, was there in- 
tended ; and we may know we have it, if it produce in us a 
child-like temper and behaviour towards God, faith in the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and the fruits of the Spirit. This Divine 
presence is peculiarly desirable when difficult and important 
duties are to be performed ; great afflictions to be endured ; 
insnaring comforts to be enjoyed; when entering on new 
stations and relations, or places of abode ; and when re- 
moving from this world to another. I hope it was with the 
Divine approbation that I gave my daughter in marriage to 
Mr. Winter, at Worcester the 12th instant. I had earnestly 
sought direction from God, but when Mr. Winter came 
,down we called friends together, and set time apart, to * seek 
the Lord,' and afterward had the almost unanimously con- 
curring approbation of friends and relations. My brother 
R. Pearsall in particular, about nine weeks ago, wrote thus — 
" I hope she and you will have reason to conclude, 
with comfort to yourselves, that the matter is of the Lord, 
and designed for her improvement in goodness, by the mul- 
tiplication of the means of grace. I trust Mr. Winter will 
be a good husband, as he is a truly worthy and very valuable 
man, and I rejoice in the prospect of my niece's agreeable 
settlement .'' * 

f Tbe Rev. Richard Winter, B. D. was, for a time, co-pastor with 
the celebrated Rev. ThomasJBradbury, at the Meeting in New-court, 
Carey Street. Mr. B. dying in September, 1759, Mr. W. remained 
pastor the long period of forty years, until his own death, March 29, 
1799, aged 79. Mr. Winter had three sons; the youngest disco- 
vered a gaiety of disposition that excited concern in his venerable pa- 
rent ; but his last illness was sanctified, and at the age of 22 years* 
in 1784, and near the close of his apprenticeship, he finished his course 
with joy. The father preached the son's funeral sermon, from the ex- 

B B 



370 THE RELIGIOUS TRADESMAN. 1751- 

THE RELIGIOUS TRADESMAN. 

To Mr. Peter Bunnell* 

Kidder-minster, September 30, 1751. 

BEAR SIR, 

I rejoice to hear of your prosperity. I trust God is buil- 
ding you a house. May his ' candle shine on your head ! 
May 'the secret of God be upon your tabernacle !' 'I wish, 
above all things, that your soul may prosper and be in health/ 
An apostle 'beseeches ' his friends to ' suffer the word of ex- 
hortation,' and I now beseech you to suffer a word of caution, 
1 well remember when it was with me as it is now with you 
in some respects, I had a wife whom I dearly loved, de- 
lightful children, and a prosperous trade. These most de- 
sirable enjoyments proved a snare to me. Riches increased, 
and the love of riches increased as fast. I made an idol of 
that which should have enlarged my heart in gratitude to the 
bountiful Giver ; and, by my perverseness, constrained him, 
as it were, out of love to my soul, to deprive me of that 
which might otherwise have destroyed me. I had been sen- 
sible how inordinately ' my heart went after my covetousness/ 
and that my spiritual interests were in a declining state ; yea, 
I prayed against it often, and as I thought strove against it, 
yet, still it prevailed, till it pleased God in great mercy to 

pressive words — ' This my son was dead, and is alive again ; lie was 
lost, and is found/ The discourse has been much admired, and made 
useful, Mr. Winter had, also, two daughters, both of whom were 
ornaments to their sex. Martha, first wife of the Rev. Frederick Hamil- 
ton, now of Brighton, died November 18, 1805. That I.idy long sur- 
vived her sister Sarah, who died in February 1782, and who married 
Samuel, a son of the Rev. Stephen Addington, D. D. formerly minister 
atMUes's Lane, Cannon Street. A memoir of Mr. Winter is printed 
in the Evangelical Magazine for September 1799. It is from the same 
pen as the memoirs alluded to in the notes to July 11, 1738, and 
December 14, 1751. 

* See April 9, 1749. He died September 28, 1796, aged 73, 



JEt. 59- THE RELIGIOUS TRADESMAN. 371 

cast me into deep adversity, and thereby give me a sensible 
conviction what a poor portion money is, and how unfit a 
thing for me to set my heart upon. Yet, adversity itself 
would not have wrought so effectually upon my heart, if God 
had not at the same time given me a taste of his love, and 
by that specimen convinced me that he himself is an infinitely 
better 'portion.' Now, give me leave to ask you, at least let 
me advise and persuade you to ask yourself — How do mat- 
ters stand betwixt God and your soul, on the one hand; and, 
betwixt the world and your soul, on the other ? Excuse my 
freedom ; I have nothing in view but your good. Whose 
interest is uppermost in your heart ? What are your first 
thoughts in a morning, and your last thoughts at night usually 
fixed upon? Are your first thoughts of God? Do you conse- 
crate the earliest hour to reading, meditation, and prayer ? 
Can you leave your bed the earlier, that you may redeem time 
to converse with Christ ? How can you say you love him, 
if you suffer the world to rival him in your heart and affec- 
tion ; — if you cannot sometimes ' watch with 'him ' one hour?' 
Can you say with divine Herbert — 

" I cannot ope mine eyes 
" But thou art ready there to catch 
" My morning-soul and sacrifice : 
" Then we must needs for that day make a match ?" 

Or, are you pleasing yourself, early and late, with thinking, 
how much you shall gain by this commodity, and how much 
by that? Just so it was with me : but, if this be the case 
with you, expect to smart for it, as I did. My dear and 
honoured father generally devoted the first hour and half, or 
sometimes two hours, to religion : and I would advise 
every tradesman who fears God, w T ho prizes communion 
with the Lord Jesus Christ, constantly to devote the first 
hour, or half hour, at least, to religious exercises. The 

b b 2 



372 THE CHRISTIAN'S DUTY IN FAITH AND JOY. 1751. 

soul must have its meals and repasts, as well as the body, or 
it will certainly be in a languishing state. I do not much 
fear but you will take well this friendly caution and counsel. 
The love of the world is downright idolatry. We cry out 
against the Jews for selling f the Lord of glory ' for money ; 
but every covetous worldling plays the same game- over 
again, and e crucifies him afresh :*' but, I hope ( better things 
of you, and things that accompany salvation/ Believe me 
to be, with great respect, dear sir, your cordial friend and 
bumble servant, 

J. w. 

FAITH AND JOY DISCUSSED : AND THE 
christian's DUTY IN BOTH. 

To his daughter Kirkpatrick.* 

Kidderminster, October 9, 1751. 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

I was reading lately in Mr. Robert Bolton's Direction? 
for a comfortable walking with God, and 1 1 met with this 
remarkable passage— "As certainly as he that hath a corpo- 
ral eye, knoweth that he sees, so certainly, he that is illu- 
minated" with the light of faith, knows that he believes." 
This is an approved author, and recommended by Mr. 
Baxter. Now let me ask — Do you certainly know that you 
do by faith behold our blessed Redeemer lifted up, as the 
brazen serpent, for the everlasting cure of your wounded 
conscience, and rest on him ? If not, is not your faith de- 
fective ? The grace of faith is as a bright lamp in the soul ; 
and where a lamp burns it not only discovers other things, 
but is itself discoverable by its own light. The glorious splen- 
dour of the heavenly jewel cannot but shew itself, and shine 
clearly to the heart in which it is set. The apostle John 
says — ' This is the promise that he hath promised us, even 
eternal life/ If you rely on this promise, then do you believe 

* She died September 23, 1763, aged 39, 



J£t % 59. the christian's duty in taithand joy. 373 
that you have eternal life ; but if you question your own in- 
terest in it, then it is plain you doubt rather than believe the 
promise. There may be, indeed, and certainly is, 'the 
faith of God's elect/ where there is not always an assurance, 
or clear evidence of it ; just as there is day though the sun 
may be under a cloud. It is highly desirable, however, and 
is the most happy thing in the world, to have the heavenly 
lamp lucid. The sun often shines brightest after a shower ; 
so does faith after penitent tears. Would Christians believe 
(he prophets, and the apostles, would they believe Christ 
himself, and not undervalue God's infinite mercy, but 
would conceive aright of the bottomless depth of his free 
love, who is ever most compassionate to a truly broken and 
contrite heart, then might they, even in their lowest state, 
exercise the faith of assurance. This species of faith is the 
more desirable, because without it we cannot, as we ought, 
put in practice one of God's sweetest commands, frequently 
and earnestly charged upon us — * Rejoice in the Lord/ yea 
c rejoice evermore !' The apostle seems to make it a neces- 
sary qualification to being a true Christian, when he says — 
c We are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, 
and rejoice in Christ Jesus.' God would have his people be 
a joyful people. The psalmist says — < Let the saints be 
joyful in glory.' Why then do we not cultivate this sacred 
joy ! And yet it cannot be done unless we knozv the Lord 
to be our Lord : Paul says — ' I know whom I have believed/ 
Let that be our first inquiry ; and if we know God, it is our 
privilege to ' rejoice ' in him ; therefore as ' praise is comely 
for the upright/ the righteous but humble person should 
rouse, and expostulate as the psalmist did — ' Why art thou 
cast down, G my soul ? and why art thou disquieted within 
me ? Hope thou in God ; for I shall yet praise him, who 
is the health of my countenance, and my God.' Little does 
a vain world think what a joyful life a holy life is; and tbe 
raore lioly the more joyful. 

BBS 



374 THE CHRISTIANAS DUTY IN FAITH AND JOY. 1751. 

October U. That I may converse with God, with my 
own soul, and with you my child, 1 have again retired. I 
love solitude best. I gain most when alone. Our blessed 
Saviour in his prayer for the apostles says — ' They are not 
of the world, even as I am not of the world/ I rejoice in 
this evidence of my not being of the world — that I find more 
and more I cannot relish the conversation of the men of the 
world, ' who mind earthly things/ and who can converse 
about nothing but the things of the world : — 

f Their hope and portion lies below ; 

" ? Tis all the happiness they know, 

" 'Tis all they seek."— Watts. 

Blessed be God, I do know a better, a higher happiness : 
and shall I not seek it ! I do believe, yea, I know i there 
remaineth a rest for the people of God/ and I cannot but 
seek that rest! I know that 'here' I have 'no continuing 
city/ and am seeking 'one to come/ but, alas! far too 
feebly, far too inconstantly ! Your dear mother is gone ; 
and J am going : but how slowly am I ripening. Fain would 
I have you mend your pace, and both of us to put more 
spirit and life into our prayers. Surely, I am not sufficiently 
thankful for the bounties of Heaven, nor sensible enough of 
my own great unworthiness of them. Oh ! for a more 
thankful sense of my daily mercies ; for a more humbling, 
self-emptying sense of my unworthiness of the least of 
Heaven's bounties: then should I regard them as obligations 
to fruitfulness in every good work ; as helps, and not hin- 
drances of my faith, my hope, love, obedience, my humility, 
and my holy joy in the Lord! 

I trust, my dear child, our prayers for each other ascend 
daily before the throne. May they be perfumed with the 
incense of a better sacrifice. Next to my own happiness, 
nothing lie! nearer my heart than that of all my children, but 
which of them lies nearest, cannot be discovered by their 
and your affectionate father, ■ J. W, 



j£t.59. THE APOSTLES'cREED PRACTICALLY APPLIED. 375 

THE APOSTLES' CREED PRACTICALLY APPLIED. 

To his son-in-latv Mr. Josiah Hanbury. 

Bristol, October 17, 1751. 

DEAR SIR, 

A blameable modesty often restrains friends from shewing 
themselves so friendly as otherwise they would do. Nature has 
knit my heart to your wife, and as marriage hath made you one 
with her, you share with her in my love and parental concern. 
Allow me, therefore, now to manifest my regard for you in 
the most free manner. I doubt not you will do well for the 
present world ; I am chiefly solicitous for your welfare as it 
relates to the future, eternal world. ' One thing is needful -* 
have you made that your choice ? If so, your spiritual case 
will bear the necessary duty of self-examination ; the ne- 
glect of which is no good sign. A train of thought occurred 
to me two nights ago, in my retirement, and I then resolved 
to propose the substance of it to your serious consideration. 
I expect you will find what I am about to offer entirely new; 
iet me entreat you with the deepest seriousness, as in the 
presence of God, to apply it closely to your conscience. 

You have often repeated the Belief, or what is called The 
apostles' creed : Did you ever do it practically? I mean 
thus ; — " I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of 
heaven and earth." You cannot practically say this, unless 
yon believingly apply it to yourself. If you do believe in 
God as your Father, it is because ' the spirit itself beareth 
witness ' with your spirit, and teaches you to go to him as 
your Father ; so that in all your wants, fears, and perplex- 
ities, you approach him with the same trust and dutiful 
regard, as a child does to his earthly father, for protection, 
counsel, and asssistance, in all cases of difficulty or dis- 
tress. If you do not act thus, you may utter $ie words, 
indeed, and yet not believe what they are intended to convey,. 
b b 4 





316 THEAPOSTLES''CREEBPP.ACTICALLY APPLIED. 1?51 
Again; — "I believe " "in Jesus Christ, his only Sou our 
Lord." How can any person say this unless ' Christ be 
formed' in hiui ? You do not, cannot believe in him with- 
out a disposition of mind, suitable to the great end for 
which he came into the world ; and unless the same ' mind 
be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.' You may " be- 
lieve" that he " suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, 
dead, and buried ;" but not as suffering for your sins, unless 
that belief prove the means of your mortifying your lusts 
and corruptions. If, therefore, you believe aright in a dying 
Saviour, you have like him an utter hatred of sin. You 
may also, pronounce the words — " he rose again from the 
dead, and ascended into heaven ;" but you do not believe in 
a risen Saviour, in a proper manner, unless you find that 
Power which raised him quicken your heart, and raise you 
• to heavenl}'-mindedness. You believe not in an ascended 
Saviour, unless you ascend with him, and as the apostle 
saith — 'sit with him in heavenly places.' You will not be 
much cast down with any trouble or disappointment, if you 
believe that Christ our head is in heaven, and that you are 
vitally united to him as one of his members ; but, if you be 
not so united to him, you do but talk of your ascended 
Saviour, without believing in him as such : 'If you be risen 
with Christ/ saith the apostle, 'seek those things which 
are above/ By believing in him in a right manner, you 
will not only seek, but savour of things that are spiritual. 
You " believe the forgiveness of sins :" how can you say 
this aright unless you really believe your own sins to be for- 
given ? If they be, you certainly love him above all, who hath 
t' forgiven them: and consequently, you have 'joy and peace 

in believing:' for they who are 'justified by faith' 'have 
peace with God,' yea, and 'rejoice in hope, of the glory of 
God.' ' Be of good cheer,' saith our Saviour, ' thy sins be 
forgiven thee ;' therefore, if you believe that your sins be 
forgiven, you will be of good cheer; holy love and gratitude 






J£t.59. THE APOSTLEs'CREED PRACTICALLY APPLIED. 377 

\x\]\ be excited in you. You "believe" u the resurrection 
of the body ; and the life everlasting :" what effect hath 
this upon you ? Are you afraid to die ? If so, it argues, 
not that you believe, but that you doubt what you say you 
believe ! The contrary to this cannot fail to infuse a holy- 
courage. You now lie down at night, in the hope of 
rising in the morning; but you would lie down unwill- 
ingly, if you expected never to rise any more : yet if you 
truly believe that your body will rise again to life ever- 
lasting, you need not fear to have it deposited in the grave. 
In like manner, if you believe that Christ will " come to 
judge the quick and the dead," will it not have a powerful 
effect on your life and conversation ? If you be forgetful, 
from day to day, that for every thing you must render an 
account ; if you be making ' provision for the flesh to fulfil 
the lusts thereof;' if you do not to all men, '. as you would 
that men should do to you ;' if your mind be wholly 01 
or chiefly occupied about the concerns of the body and the 
present life, and but little about the soul and life eternal — 
how can you be said to believe in a future judgment ? Such 
interesting points of belief as these, will have a powerful 
efTicacy on our minds and practices, if we be but sincere in 
them : therefore, we may conclude, that if we feel not such 
an efficacy, we are not practical believers. Alas! how few 
are there who do not lie to God when they repeat the 
apostles' creed. 

I might have descanted more largely, had time and papei 
sufficed; but now let me entreat you, as you would find 
peace to your soul, give yourself no rest till, in the confi- 
dence of faith, you can give your full assent to every one 
of the foregoing points. l My heart's desire and prayer' for 
you is that you i might be saved,' and in order to it, assure 
yourself of the best assistance in the power of, dear sir, your 
affectionate father, 

J. W. 



378 HIS PROSPECT CLE A SECOND MARRIAGE. 1751- 

HIS PROSPECT OF A SECOND MARRIAGE. 

To his daughter Hanbury. 

Taunton, October 26, 1751. 

MY BEAR CHILD, 

I hope my love to my dear children, who have all been al- 
ways strictly dutiful to me, will never abate, I love you for 
my own sake : I love you for your mother's sake, as so many 
pledges of that endeared, mutual affection which death alone 
could dissolve, but the remembrance of which will be always 
dear and refreshing to me : and I desire to love you most of 
all for the lineaments I joyfully behold of your heavenly Fa- 
ther's image upon each of you. May I have the increasing 
joy to see my children, and their dear companions for life, 
walking in the truth! And, oh ! how should I love our good 
God, our indulgent common Parent, for the comfortable 
circumstances in which you are all placed. I am amazed, 
and desire to be abased even to the dust, under a sense of 
my own great unworthiness, when I consider how large his 
bounties are to me and mine ! May he have all the praise 
who is the kind Dispenser of these mercies, and may our 
hearts be lifted up only in the ways of God, and in praise to 
him. It was, indeed, an awful, melancholy breach he was 
pleased to make upon us all, and upon myself in particular, 
eleven months ago : but it was he who first * gave' whom he 
6 hath taken away ;' nor did he take her from us till he had 
made her completely ripe and ready for her heavenly Bride- 
groom. Nothing is wanting to complete what felicity earth 
can afford me, but to have that breach made up in such a 
manner as may be most agreeable to my dear children. I 
know it is what you in particular have advised and tenderly 
enforced — that I would seek out a proper companion. I 
have been incessantly looking up to Him, from whom alone 
' a prudent wife is,' and now I have a prospect of such a 
one, and I cannot conceal from you some circumstances 



Mtn 60. COUNSEL AND COMFORT TO THE AFPLICTED. 379 

-elating thereto. Whilst Mr. Darracott was with us, he came 
:o me one day, and Mr. Fawcett with him, on purpose to 
recommend to me a Mrs. Biseck, of Biddeford ; a maiden 
lady ; and, indeed, when I heard her excellent character, I 
ihought it a very great honour done me to hear from the 
same friend, that he thought me the most suitable person for 
her. After maturely weighing the affair, and looking up, I 
commenced a correspondence with Mr. J), on the subject, 
snd he hath introduced the affair to the lady, and matters are 
so arranged that I am to have an interview on Tuesday next : 
as this will reach you on Monday evening, I entreat your 
earnest intercessions for direction. The Lord bless and 
keep you, ' my dear, and cause his face to shine upon you :' so 
prays vour affectionate father, 

J. W. 

COUNSEL AND COMFORT TO THE AFFLICTED. 

To Miss Hannah Green.* 

December 14, 1751. 

MY DEAR NIECE, 

I cannot express what I have felt for you. The heavy 
tidings greatly surprised and grieved me. What then must 



* This lady was the younger daughter of Mr. Nathaniel Green, ofKid- 
]erminster. Her mother, the first wife of Mr. G. was the sister whose 
death Mr. Williams so affectionately recorded in the article dated Au- 
gust 6, 1738. From about the age of twenty Miss G. resided in Broms- 
grove, under the care of her aunt Watson, another sister of Mr. W. In 
that town, the Rev. John Freeland became pastor of a new Indepen- 
dent church, about the year 1740; and, subsequently, being impressed 
vith the good sense and unaffected seriousness of Miss G. made pro- 
posals of marriage to her; but, having removed to London, in 1747, to 
preside over the Scots church now of Crown-court, his health quickly 
declined ; and he returned to Bromsgrove for the benefit of the air : 
death, however, speedily ensued, and prevented the intended union. 
This event gave occasion for the above excellent and consolatory letter. 
Jn 1754, Miss G. married Mr.Henry Dowler,of Bromsgrove; a gentleman 
of considerable property, uncommon sweetness of temper, and genuine 






380 COUNSEL AND COMFORT TO THE AFFLICTED. 17-51-2. 

your grief be ! How deep your wound ! How incurable ! 
Do I set it bleeding afresh ? That thought adds to my grief. 
I would not add affliction to the afflicted : but — how can it 
he avoided ? Indeed, a more pertinent question is — how can 
it be healed ; or, at least, the smart thereof assuaged ? None 
but the Father of spirits, the great Physician, your covenant 
God can do this. He can do it, and he will do it in his own 
time and way : but, is there nothing to be done on your part ? 
I doubt not you have had better comforters ; better advisers : 
I trust before this can arrive, you have in a good measure learn- 
ed to practise the best advice I can give you : yet, let me 
offer my advice, which, I am very sensible, it is much easier 
to give than take. — Examples speak louder than words. Re- 
member Aaron : — when he saw two sons cut off by a sudden 
stroke ;• yet, because it was the Lord's hand, ' Aaron held his 
peace.' Remember Eli : — when his two sons were to be cut 
off in a day, and in wrath, as a consequence of a Divine 
threatening for their sins ; yet, because it was the Lord, he 
patiently submits to the sentence. Above all, e consider the 

piety. In a few days Mr. Williams addressed to them the valuable let- 
ters dated January IT and 18, 1754: but that union proved of short 
duration, for Mr,D. died in 1762, aged 38. Three or four years after, Mr* 
Benjamin Humphrys, of the same town and whose first wife was sister 
of Mr.D. having been left a widower,with four small children, formed a 
siew connexion with Mrs. D. which lasted nearly twenty-three years, 
when Mr. H. died,' April 10, 1789. " An account of his exemplary 
life and triumphant death," is given in a sermon preached at Broms- 
gi-ove April 19, by his son, the Rev. John Humphrys (see the note to Ju!y 
1 J, 1738, and to September 29, 1751), who was also called to the melan- 
choly duty of recording the death of his highly-revered mother-in-law, 
whose life terminated December 7, 1802, aged 87, Her memoir was 
originally printed in the Theological Magazine for June 1803; but it 
possesses such general and permanent interest, that soon after, the Rev. 
G. Jerment transferred it into his additional volume of "Memoirs of 
eminently pious Women, who were ornaments to their sex, blessings to 
their country, and edifying examples to the church and world : by Tho- 
i&as Gibbons, D. D." 



yFt.GO. HIS SECOND MARRIAGE. 331 

Apostle and High Priest of our professidn, Christ Jesus/ 
who, ' though he were a son, yet learned he obedience, by 
the things which he suffered/ Now, in the season of your 
sore trial, more especially ' look unto Jesus,' not only as 
your example, but as your helper, 'who, in that he himself hath 
suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are 
tempted/ When it is said — He is able, more is implied than 
expressed : it certainly means, he is as willing to help, as he 
is able. Many considerations might be suggested, tending 
to bring your mind to entire resignation ; some, taken from 
the unerring providence of God ; others, from his unchange- 
able decrees. I might point out a variety of circumstances, 
which, had they been permitted, would have greatly aggra- 
vated the stroke. I might instance to you trials far more 
grievous, which others have borne, and are now bearing : but 
the best advice I can recommend, as the nearest and surest 
way to comfort, is, as I before said, to — ' look unto Jesus/ 
Through him ' direct your prayer, and look up/ < Trust in 
him with all your heart/ Cast yourself upon his all-suffi- 
ciency. Plead your relation to a covenant God in Christ, 
and in effect say — " I am thine, Lord save me. I am thine, 
Lord support and comfort ine. I am thine, Lord, sanctify 
this awful stroke." Heaven is witness to my earnest cries 
for vou, and tender sympathy with you. Yours, &c. 

J. W. 

HIS SECOND MARRIAGE. 

January 25, 1752. Four months ago I was observing, 
that my children are all married, and, through the blessed 
hand of an indulgent Providence, well provided for ; that 
through the Divine bounty and goodness, I enjoy easy cir- 
cumstances, and flowing prosperity, without much worldly 
encumbrance ; that my health seems firm,, nor do my spirits 
flag, or fail of their wonted alacrity; and that a suitable com- 
panion 'teems more desirable to me than a single state. 



382 the tradesman's conduct in prosperity. 1752* 
then wanted to know what the mind of the Lord was, willing 
either to continue a widower, or to marry again, ' only in the 
Lord/ which he should please to choose for me. Nozv, the 
Lord hath carried me through a wonderful and delightful 
scene, which I would not quickly forget. He hath given 
me a most agreeable wife, for which I desire daily to bless 
his Name. Oh ! may we be mutual helpers of each others 
holiness, faith, hope, love, andjoy in the Lord- I was, as I 
thought, at a point whether to marry again or not, and re- 
signed to the Divine will ; but importunate in prayer, that if 
I were to marry again, God would give me one of his dear 
children, and he hath indeed granted my request. Blessed 
be his Name, who inclined Mr. Darracott to mention her to 
me, and whose providence so nicely adjusted every circum- 
stance of my journey to Biddeford, inclining me to go at th# 
instigation of my daughter Winter, when I had laid aside the 
thought of going. Blessed be his Name, who so exactly 
marked out all my steps, and made my way plain and pros- 
perous ; inclined her heart towards me, and formed her every 
way suitable to my temper and wishes. ' What shall I ren- 
der to the Lord for all his benefits/ and for this instance of 
his bounty in particular ! 

THE RELIGIOUS TRADESMAN'S CONDUCT IN 

PROSPERITY. 

To Mr. Peter Bunnell. 

Kidderminster, February 6, 1752* 

DEAR SIR, 

I doubt not you will take in good part any hints of coun- 
sel from one who would gladly contribute to your happiness, 
as it relates to both worlds. I continue to rejoice in your 
prosperity. You are not, however, to expect unmingled joys 
in this abode of guilt and sorrow. The way to ensure a con- 
tinuance and increase of prosperity is to be thankful for 
what is enjoyed, whether that be more or less. I do not 



J£a. GO. future happiness contemplated. 383 

think the apostolic precept — ' in every thing give thanks,' en- 
joins us to give thanks^br afflictions, crosses, and disappoint- 
ments as such ; but I am sure we ought to give thanks in all 
these; yea, in the very worst that may befal us. Cherish a 
thankful temper, till it become the habitual frame of your 
mind ; but recollect, it cannot be obtained without much ap- 
plication. Faith, love, and humility, are all promoted by 
thanksgiving. We cannot praise God without < believing that 
he is/ and that he is gracious; and without appropriating the 
subject of our belief to ourselves. Such a course will make 
us love our Benefactor; and the more we love him for his 
benefits, the more we shall inquire what we have done to 
merit them at his hands : if that do not humble us, we neither 
know him nor ourselves. Let us live as those who are not 
of this world. Young people may think the counsel here 
laid down, well adapted to persons in the decline of life ; 
but, as we are not exempted, in any stage of life, from the 
stroke of death, so no age nor other circumstance can excuse 
the neglect of a diligent preparation for death ! Sit loose then, 
to all earthly enjoyments ; yet, be « not slothful in business/ 
for so it is prescribed, but engage in it'as a duty, not from 
any love to the world. Believe me to be, with great respect, 
dear sir, yours, very affectionately, 

J W. 

FUTURE HAPPINESS CONTEMPLATED. 
To Mrs. Darracott. 

Kidderminster, March 2,5, 1752. 

DEAR MADAM, 

I am induced to put pen to paper, not only to acknowledge 
my obligations, but to tell you they are much increased by the 
important loan you have so cheerfully sent us. — Since Dr. 
Doddridge is gone to heaven, I scarcely know another man 
upon earth, at least not another in Europe now Mr. White- 
£eld is gone to America, who merits so cordial a welcome 



S84 FUTUEE HAPPINESS CONTEMPLATED. 1752* 

to my house; my hand, or my heart ; or who could excite 
by his presence, so much pious joy, as Mr. Darracott ; and 
yet, through the smiles of an indulgent Providence I am 
not destitute of many very dear and desirable Christian friends, 
I do not, however, know the minister who, in the .absence of 
our revered pastor, is more esteemed by the serious part of 
our society. — The agreeable company too, of Miss Mary 
Darracott and Miss Theodosia adds not a little to my hap- 
piness ; so that, to use our blessed Saviour's words, 'good 
measure, pressed down/ * and running over, is given into 
my bosom/ From this instance of earthly felicity I have 
been led to ask myself — What will the society of heaven be ? 
No doubt, the love and favour of God, with the smiles of 
the glorious Emmanuel, will be the heaven of heaven 5 and 
yet, the society of angels, and of ' the spirits of just men 
made perfect/ affords a prospect of rapturous delight. Oh ! 
what will it be to be ' called unto the marriage-supper of 
the Lamb/ What, to ' sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, 
and Jacob / with Moses, David, Paul, Peter, and John ; 
with Baxter, Doddridge, and ' the general assembly and 
church of the first-born,' in the kingdom of our Father ! 
There ? your Mr. Darracott, my late dear Phebe, my pre- 
sent dear Jane, you and I, with numbers of friends who are 
gone before, or will come after, shall enjoy each others' 
company to such advantage as in the present state we can 
neither conceive nor sustain. Haste, happy day ! when 
' there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, 
neither shall there be anymore pain/— My time will not 
permit me to enlarge. May this find you, dear madam, who 
are daily i walking in the fear of the Lord/ walking also 'in 
the comforts of the Holy Ghost/ May that heavenly Friend 
abundantly make up what joy the absence of your dearest 
earthly friend must needs substra'ct : and with all, may /the 
grace of him that * hanged on the tree ? 'be with your spirit/ 



j£t.60. SACRAMENTAL MEDITATION- 385 

I am, with tenders of much respect, and under many obli- 
gations, dear madam, your obliged humble servant, 

J. W * 

SACRAMENTAL MEDITATION. 

Saturday night, April 4, 1752. 'Do this/ says our 
Lord, 'in remembrance of me/ What am I to do? I am 
to eat bread and drink wine, believing these, when set apart 
from a common to this peculiar use, do represent the body 
and blood of Christ. Infidels may laugh at this part of our 
holy religion ; but, lovers of Christ, and believers in him, 
make great account of it. Certainly, our Lord had a wise 
and kind design in the instituting of it. Oh ! that I could 
see fully into, and not mistake his design. Come, blessed 
and most adorable Jesus, thou who hast endured the greatest, 
the vilest indignities and cruelties for the sake of sinful men, 
and voluntarily submitted to the most painful and ignomi- 
nious death of the cross, in order to atone for sin, shew me 
wherefore thou hast instituted these sacred memorials of thy- 
self, and what share, what interest I have therein, and what 
thou requirest of me. — I am to do this in remembrance of 
my Lord. I am to remember, that 'the Son of God/ * the 
Lord of Glory/ ' which is in the bosom of the Father/ 
* was made flesh/ or assumed the body prepared for him. 
Oh ! ' the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he 
was rich, yet for* our 'sakes he became poor, that* we 
'through his poverty might be rich/ Though, 'in the form 
of God/ and though he ' thought it not robbery to be equal 
with God */ yet, he ' made himself of no reputation, and took 

* This letter is an abridgment of that in p. 71 of a publication end* 
tied — The Star of the West ; being memoirs of the life of Risdon Dar- 
racott, minister of the Gospel at Wellington, Somerset : by the Rev. 
James Bennett, 1813. If the reader desire a farther acquaintance 
with the character of this excellent minister, he would do well to pe* 
ruse the memoir mentioned above. 

C c 





386 THE IMPOETAJfCE OF THE MINISTRY, 1752, 

upon him the form of a servant/ But, ' forasmuch as the ■ 
children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself/ 
who was to redeem them, ' likewise took part of the same : ? 
for, how could he have ' borne our sins on the tree, 7 if he 
had not had a body i Or, how could he have vanquished 
' him that had the power of death, that is, the devil/ but by 
dying and rising again from the dead, as 'the first-fruits of 
them that sleep ' in death ? — I am to remember, that in this 
body he bore the wrath of God due to us for sin. Oh ! 
what horror and agony did his soul endure at Gethsemane. 
He endured the utmost contempt from those he came to 
save, with all the torture which their hatred, spite, and 
rage could inflict upon him. ' He gave his back to the 
smiters, and his cheeks to them that plucked off the 
hair ; he hid not his face from shame and spitting.' Oh ! 
the compassion and condescension of Jesus. But, what is 
all this to me ? Yes, ' he was wounded for ? my ' transgres- 
sions, he was bruised for' my 'iniquities/ he 'bare' my 
'sins in his own body on the tree/ that 'by his stripes' / 
' might be healed/ and by his death I might live* 

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY, 
To a Minister, 

Kidderminster, April 15, 1752. 

DEAR SIR, 

1 am glad you are filled with a due sense of the vast im- 
portance of the work of a minister. I confess, to me it ap- 
pears the highest and most honourable, the hardest and 
most laborious, and at the same time the most awful and 
important office that is borne by any man upon earth. If a 
senator of Rome would not have matched his .daughter with 
a king, no doubt he esteemed himself greater than that king : 
and, is not an ambassador from the King of kings greater 
than he ? protect and defend the lives andliberties of a 
whole kingdom or empire, is certainly a very high and honour- 



y£>.60. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MINISTRY. 387 

able office ; but, to be God's instrument in saving immortal 
souls is far higher, and more honourable. To be invested 
with a commission from heaven, must be the highest investi- 
ture. To preach the gospel is an honour never put upon 
angels. If ministers be, indeed, 'ambassadors for Christ/ 
if they serve Christ, God will honour them, and men will 
honour them, i and esteem them very highly in love for their 
work's sake ;' but, if they do not faithfully deliver their em- 
bassy, notwithstanding their high station in the church, they 
* will be lightly esteemed.' Certainly, every wise and faith- 
ful minister, who understands his office, and i fulfils his 
ministry,' finds it to be a great as well as a good work. If 
he discharge the secret duties of the closet and the study > 
and the private duties with his family and with his people, 
and the public duties of the pulpit; if he 'be instant in season, 
out of season ;' no doubt he hath work enough for every wak- 
ing hour. Then, what in the world can be a more awful and 
important work, than that, upon the success or unsuccess- 
fulness of which, depends the eternal salvation or damnation 
of precious souls ! " The eternal salvation of one soul," 
according to Dr. Doddridge's strikiug reflection, "is of 
greater importance than the temporal salvation of a whole 
kingdom or empire for ten thousand ages, or indeed any 
given duration of time. Because there will come up a point 
in eternity, when that one soul will have existed as many 
ages as all the individuals in a kingdom, ranged in close suc- 
cession, will altogether have existed at that given period. 
Therefore, one soul is capable of a larger share of happiness 
or misery to an endless eternity, than all the inhabitants of 
a whole kingdom are capable of in ten thousand ages." 
How Jfst is this remark ! How agreeable to tfur necessary 
notion of eternity ? And what an affecting idea does it give 
us of the importance of salvation ! Well might the apostle 
call it 'so great salvati&i? If the 'salvation 0/ those who 

c c 2 




■ 





SBB VILLAGE ITINERANCY. 1752. 

hear the gospel be possible, how should every minister, and 
indeed, how should every one * who is saved and called with 
a holy calling/ bestir themselves, and use their utmost en- 
deavours, agreeably to their several stations, if by any means 
they ? might ' ' save some/ Surely, we may learn this from 
our Lord's saying — « It shall be more tolerable for the land 
of Sodom, in the day of judgment/ than for those who 
repented not under his own ministry. I am, &c. 

J. w. 

VILLAGE ITINERANCY. 
To Mrs. Darracott. 

Kidderminster, April 15, 175&- 

BEAR MADAM, 
I again return you unfeigned thanks, and that not in my 
own name only, but of multitudes, for your valuable loan* 
God will abundantly reward both you and him. Mr. Dar- 
racott longs after his other self, his children, and ' the flock 
>of God which is among you/ On the receipt of your last 
letter, he seemed determined to leave us next Monday. 
Knowing that many are under deep impressions from his 
ministry, and that our good people earnestly desire hi$ 
longer stay, I could by no means see his way open to leave 
us ; and, when he would not otherwise be persuaded, I pro- 
posed to call some praying friends together, and f ask coun- 
sel of God/ This, he could not refuse. Accordingly we 
met yesterday, and seven of us engaged. God was with us 
of a truth ; and in the conclusion the good man was s bound 
in the spirit/ as we prayed he might be, to prolong his stay. 
There is, indeed, a remarkable stirring among us. In our 
neighbourhood is a parish called Auveley, to which some 
laymen have thought it their duty for some years past, to go 
in their turns to pray with and read to a few poor people 
every alternate Lord's-day, but those persons being now 
joined b$ others have lately goue to that place every ford's- 



JFA. 60. AN HUMBLING PROVIDENCE. 389 

daw Last Monday was the return of our monthly prayer- 
meeting for a blessing on our endeavours at Auvely; on 
which occasion my nephew Watson particularly prayed that 
if it were the will of God Mr. Darracott should prolong his 
stay, God would be pleased to give him a token of his will, 
by sending some persons to apply to Mr. D. under soul- 
concern. The Lord was pleased to give a signal answer 
to the prayer, for two persons made application to be intro- 
duced to Mr. Darracott that very evening, to both of whom 
he went the next morning and found them under a work of 
grace, many of his discourses having been blessed to them. 
Mr. Darracott preached lately at Auveley, and there is reason 
to hope his discourse was ' a word iu season ' to many : 
about twenty persons came from thence, six long miles, to 
hear him last Lord's-day ; and many more we expect on the 
next, from that and other places. The Lord open his 
mouth, and the hearts and consciences of his hearers ! It 
is the ardent wish of numbers here, that Mr. D. may con- 
tinue with us till Mr. Fawcett can come and water what he 
hath planted. During his absence, may you experience so 
much of the Divine presence as to enable you to ' rejoice in 
the Lord,' and to 'joy in the God of your salvation ;' and 
may you find i all things work together' for your good. My 
dearest joins in all respectful dues with, dear madam, your 
obliged friend and humble servant, 

( w. 

AN HUMBLING PROVIDENCE. 

To the Rev. T. Randall. 

Kidderminster, May 19, 1752. 

REV. SIR, 

I have been thinking, for four or five months past, that 
my happiness was as full and perfect as this world will well 
admit of. Blest with a sound constitution ; with flowing 

c c 3 




390 AN HUMBLING PROVIDENCE. 1752. 

prosperity ; and now, again, with one of the clearest and 
best of wives ; a cheerful heart, arising from peace of con- 
science and 'peace with God, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ ;' my children all well-settled and provided for ; and 
many agreeable friends ; what could I wish or desire more ? 
Hence, I have conceived many fears ; I have expressed 
them to several praying friends, and begged their help at 'the 
throne of grace,' lest such a fulness should betray me into 
pride, unthankfulness, and earthly-mindedness. You know, 
'Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked/ I was made sensible 
that I needed the goad in my side, nor was wholly without 
expectation thereof. Well, our heavenly Father is not for- 
getful of his children's best interests, and well knows how 
to secure and defend them. Coming last Lord's-day even- 
ing, from the last meeting, as slow as I could well walk, 
the pavement being slippery with rain, one of my feet slided 
away, by w*hich, whilst I strove to recover, so as to pre- 
vent a fall, I wrenched my right ancle to a violent degree. 
I was carried to my own house, and the pain was so acute, 
I was ready to faint away for some time. By the help of a 
skilful surgeon, there is hope I may again have the use of 
the injured limb ; but, in the mean time, I am forced to lay 
it along in a box, night and day ; sometimes am full of pain, 
and sometimes tolerably easy, but cannot take a step with- 
out crutches. I am the prisoner of providence ; but blessed 
be God, lam a prisoner of hope. Really, I take pleasure 
in this painful confinement. My Father will surely dome 
good by it ; ' you also helping together ' therewith, by your 
prayers to God for me, I esteem it an instance of his paternal 
kindness and care. I enjoy this affliction, and by means there- 
of, enjoy the company of many of my dear, praying Christian 
friends. It is an humbling providence, and such I wanted. 
It is the more distressing, because my partner set out on a six- 
week's-journey but two days before ; and that makes it so much 
the better, because so much the more instructive. The other 



JEt. 60. THE DUTY OF SYMPATHY. 391 

day, < my mountain ' stood 'strong;' but how soon am I 
troubled ! How absolutely do I hold all my enjoyments de- 
pendent on the will of my Father ! How graciously hath he 
limited and moderated this affliction ! Here might have been 
a broken bone, or dislocated joint. I have a thousand times 
more to praise for than to complain of. Hereby I am better 
instructed to pity and pray for your dear partner, together 
with yourself. I can now more sensibly sympathize with 
you than before. Blessed be God for wholesome pains, — for 
the healing rod. But I must conclude, or be too late for 
this post. May the Lord love and bless you, ' and cause 
his face to shine upon' you. 

We have had some remarkable stirring here lately, under 
the ministry of Mr. .Darracott, who made an exchange, for 
six Lord's-days, with Mr. Fawcett ; whilst he and Mrs. 
Fawcett, have been down at Taunton. The Lord carry ou 
the good work wherever it is begun. My kind respects to 
Mrs. Randall : I shall be glad to hear how it is with you. 
Believe me to be, dear sir, your much obliged, and most 

obedient humble servant, 

J.W. 

THE DUTY OF SYMPATHY. 

To his nephew Watson.* 

Kidderminster, May 27, 1752. 

MY DEAR COUSIN, 

Many useful instructions, were 1 not very dull, might be 
learned in the school of my present correction. I had some 
love to ordinances, but did not sufficiently prize them : now 
I am in a fair way to be taught their worth by the want of 
them. I have always seen the beauty and admired the love- 
liness of humility ; and i have warmly recommended it to 
my children, and other persons under my immediate care : 

* Then at Wellington, Somersetshire, on ajourney. 
C C 4 



&9& AN AFFLICTIVE ACCIDENT IMPROVED. 1/52. 

oh ! that I had recommended it more by my example. My 
stout heart has been too refractory. The Lord, who will 
have me humble, knows how to humble me : may I be not 
passive only, but active, in consequence of his dispensation. 
I have seen somewhat of the amiableness of a sympathizing 
spirit, 'bearing one another's burdens :' alas ! I have felt too 
little of it, notwithstanding it is a law of Christ, and power- 
fully recommended by his example. Jesus wept with those 
that wept ; yea, he wept over obstinate sinners, who were 
bringing ' on themselves swift destruction.' In these re- 
spects, may the same ' mind be in me, which was also in 
Christ Jesus.' It will be a blessing to be chastened, and at 
the same time taught, out of the divine law. I am, dear 

cousin, your faithful friend, 

J. W. 



AN AFFLICTIVE ACCIDENT IMPROVED. 

July 4, 1752. 1 would now review a sore disaster, which 
a wise and gracious Providence appointed unto me. Oh ! 
that I might do if with a suitable temper of mind. On 
Lord's-day evening, May 17, when my partner in trade had 
been gone but two days on a six-week's-journey, coming from 
meeting, I fell, and gave my ancle a violent strain, felt ex- 
quisite pain, and was quite disabled from rising. I had much 
pain, many days and nights. The part is now weak, and pos- 
sibly may never recover former strength. Certainly, this 
providence hath a voice, and it is the voice of God. Who 
would not listen, when God speaks, and be solicitous to un- 
derstand him ! He calls to consideration : — ' In the day of 
adversity, consider.' He calls to humiliation and sorrow for 
sin: Jeremiah complains of God's ancient people— ' Thou 
hast stricken them, but they have not grieved ; thou hast con- 
sumed them, but they have refused to receive correction.' Is 
not this word, the word of the Lord to me, at least by way 
of caution and counsel, that I may ' not harden my heart, 



jEf."60. AN-AFFLICTIVE ACCIDENT IMPROVED. 393 
after the same example of unbelief ?' I am, therefore, called 
to serious, close examination, whether I have grieved when I 
was stricken ; and, whether I have received, or refused to 
receive, correction ? Have I laid to heart this chastisement ? 
Have I received it as from the hand of God ? Have I hum- 
bly inquired his will ; what is the Lord's voice herein ; what 
is the meaniug of this rebuke ? Have I been humbled under 
a sense of what I apprehend to be the procuring cause ? 
Have I been so humbled as to mortify my pride and vain- 
glory ? Hath it excited my thankfulness for preservation in 
long and various journies ? Hath it animated my faith in his 
power and care, and to pray for constant preservation ? 
Lord, help me to improve it as I ought. Shew me more 
and more thy kind designs ; thy designs of grace in this hum- 
bling providence. Is it not especially ' that 1 may partake of 
thy holiness V Yes, this is the Lord's primary design, in all 
his messages of grace, and in all the rebukes of his rod. My 
soul's happiness is bound up in my love and likeness to God. 
God would have me happy, and therefore holy. By nature 
I am unholy, and, alas ! by practice too. Oh ! what a pre- 
cious treasure is the word of God,which holds forth our re- 
covery, as well as our ruin. Do mankind know that such a 
treasure lies in the Bible ? Then, certainly, they will make 
it their study night and day No, they will not : though 
they know it contains the mind and will of God, both for 
their faith and practice, yet, very few will be at the pains to 
study it. 

Why will not mankind, who are reasonable creatures, and 
know they are dying creatures, attend diligently to those, 
things which are of everlasting importance ? It is owing to 
their unbelief. It is oue thing to have a notional, and an 
other to have a practical belief. l It is appointed unto men 
once to die.' Who questions the truth of this ? Yet how 
few suffer this word of God to have its due weight upon 
their own conscience ! Did men really believe it, would they 



3§4 AN AFFLICTIVE ACCIDENT IMPROVED. 1752. 

neglect any means in their power to obtain the favour of their 
Judge, that, when they are judged, they may be acquitted ? 
How rarely hath it been known, that persons imprisoned for 
capital offences neglect any means in their power, that they 
might be acquitted when brought to their trial ! The reason 
is, they believe the assize will come ; and that they are to be 
acquitted or punished according to their final sentence. 

What reason can be assigned, why men generally neglect 
the means of preparation for death and eternity I Certainly 
tbey have not a practical, heart-affecting belief, that they 
shall die, and that their death may be near. When they 
think at all about it, they have no doubt of its reality, but 
they look not upon it as near, nor do they suffer their thoughts 
to dwell upon the subject, As Dr. Young says — 
& Man thinks himself immortal. 
u All men think all men mortal, but themselves." 

They *put far away the evil day/ It pleaseth God, there- 
fore, sometimes, in great mercy, to take his rod in hand, and 
by sickness, pain, or adversity, to bring men to serious consi- 
deration. Some ape quickened by the rod, others are more 
hardened. Certainly, it is a great aggravation of guilt, not 
to grieve when God strikes; nor, when he consumes, to rer- 
ceive correction. Grieve, for what? Not merely because 
the Lord hath stricken, or because men are afflicted. He 
expects them to grieve for that which hath been the procur- 
ing cause of their chastisement ; and not only for sin in ge- 
neraJ, but for that particular iniquity, which he would by the 
affliction bring to their remembrance. When this is disco- 
vered, it must be grieved for, repented of, and put away. He 
expects us to 'put away the evil of our doings from before 
his eyes,' — ' to cease to do evil/ and i learn to do well.' 

Now, O my soul, the Lord hath stricken me. Have I 
grieved ? It was certainly his hand that caused my foot to 
slide ; otherwise one of my strength and activity might have 



Jfr. 60. AN AFFLICTIVE ACCIDENT IMPROVED. 395 
walked safely enough. He hath not indeed consumed me, 
but he hath in part consumed my strength. Have I received 
correction? Mr. Whately observes — "We may read our 
sin in our punishment." Few men of my age, walk with so 
much ease, vigour, and activity. Hath not this been fuel to 
my pride ? It is fit I should be taught by sensible, smarting 
experience, to acknowledge the hand which alone gives 
strength, and can ensure safety. If He gave strength who 
hates pride, he gave it me not to value myself upon it. Be 
grieved and humbled, O my soul, for every motion of pride. 
Lie humbled and abased at his feet, and let the Lord 
alone be exalted. If he have given strength and vigour, he 
hath also shewed how easily he can turn strength into weak- 
ness, vigour into langour. Oh ! let me be quickened in fu- 
ture to employ all my strength, vigour, and vivacity to his 
praise. Think well of him, O my soul, and of what he is 
doing to me, and let me love and praise him for this rebuke- 
When God says — l Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone;' 
or when he says — ' Why should ye be stricken any more ; ye 
will revolt more and more :' how sad is the case of such a 
people, or person ! O my soul, bless the Lord, who does 
not count me unworthy of correction. Let it be my solicit- 
ous care to ' turn to him that smites' me. Let this affliction 
pain, and ..eakness, warn me of that time (who knows how 
soon !) when I must conflict with heavier afflictions, heart- 
sinking pressures, and overwhelming pain. Let this confine- 
ment to my house and chamber forewarn me of a longer, 
closer one. ' I know,' O Lord, ' that thou wilt bring me to 
death, and to the house appointed for all living.' Let my 
heart and soul say to the grave — Thou art my body's ' long 
home :' ' to corruption — Thou art my father : to the wonn 
— Thou art my mother and my sister/ Ere long, not one 
foot, one ankle, one leg only, shall be maimed and disabled, 
but every limb, every joint shall stiffen in death, and every 
power of my body be incapable of any action or motion. 



39(5 HIS OWN DEATH CONTEMPLATED. 1752-3. 

This goodly animal frame, which hath served so many useful 
purpose*, shall not only be altogether useless and unprofit- 
able, bu loathsome and ghastly, a spectacle of aversion and 
horror. My dearest friends, my children, and the wife of 
my bosom, when thej have viewed it, will turn away from 
such an unsightly lump, and desire it may be * buried out of 
their sight ' Then shall I be entirely l cut off from the land 
of the living/ 

HIS OWN DEATH CONTEMPLATED. 

December 31, 1752 Another year is just concluded! 
In the night of the 10th instant Mr. Butler's life concluded 
Suddenly. How do I know but this night my life may come 
to a period ? Mr. Butler was more than a year younger 
than I, corpulent, and seemingly strong. How absolutely does 
my life depend on the Divine will ! A little more than two 
years since, in an hour when I seemed to enjoy perfect 
health, I was suddenly seized with a swimming in my head, 
which afflicted me, not without intermission, for seven weeks. 
That which made my head swim might have made it sink 
into the grave, had God so willed. It might as easily have 
been an apoplexy as any thing else. Mr, Wkitefield observ- 
ing me, about six weeks ago, to look more hale and fuller of 
flesh than usual, remarked to me — " You will die suddenly." 
J^e it so, if that be the will of my heavenly Father. As to the 
time, the manner, and other circumstances of my death, I 
desire to have no will of my own. May 'Christ be magni- 
fied' in me, whether in life or death, and it is enough. My 
generation-work, so far as concerns my temporal affairs, is 
done. Through the good hand of a kind Providence, my 
children are all well settled, and well provided. for. What 
have I, therefore, to do in life ? Nothing, but " to glorify 
God," — to do all the good I can to the souls and bodies of 
those around me. Oh ! that 1 might ' brinsr forth much fruit 
in old age,' ■ be fat and flourishing, to shew that the Lord is 



j£t.6\. AFFLICTIVE DISPENSATIONS. 397 

upright/ Who is under greater obligations than I am to lay 
omt all my powers and my substance for God ! Great and 
manifold are the mercies he has bestowed on me! 

AFFLICTIVE DISPENSATIONS. 

To the Rev. T. Randall. 

Kidderminster, January 13, 1753. 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

I had been expecting a line from you much sooner, and 
was intending to send a writ of inquiry after you ; for, I can 
assure you, such letters as yours are more grateful to me, and 
more elevate my spirits, than letters with orders for ten or 
twenty pieces of our manufacture. My last, I wrote in pain, 
but not unmingled pain. It was indeed a pleasurable pain. 
Blessed be God for that visitation. I was quickly released 
from confinement, and have had the free use of the injured 
limb this half year, though not without some merciful touches 
now and then, to mind me of my mercies. Oh ! that I were 
more thankful : oh ! that I were always in a praying frame : — 
the same I wish for you, my friend. At the worst, we have 
more to praise than to pray for ; ten thousand times more to 
praise for than to complain of. What can become a child 
of God more, than praise to his heavenly Father ? What can 
be more profitable to himself? Do not we praise best, when 
we have the deepest sense of our unworthiness ? And does 
not the very exercise of praise naturally tend to cherish such 
a sense ? Does it not tend to humble ? Does it not imply 
our dependence and obligation, animate faith, fan our love, 
cherish hope, and diffuse cheerfulness and joy ? Oh ! how 
happy are the saints above, who are all love and praise. 
Well, but I did not praise enough — was not enough hum- 
bled : therefore, our heavenly Father kindly took another 
rod in hand ; for he hath store of them, but they are all dipt 
in love. He smote me through the sides of my dearest other 
self -.—toward the latter end of July, my better half was 



393 AFFLICTIVE DISPENSATIONS. 1755. 

visited with a putrid fever, a rush fever. Her life was in 
jeopardy. She was pressed beyond measure, above strength, 
so that she ' had the sentence of death' in herself ; and I was 
called up one morning at two, to take my leave of her : but, the 
Lord had mercy on her, and on me also, lest I should have sor- 
row upon sorrow. When, after a revival, the pressure on her 
spirits returned, so that she ' mourned' like ' a dove,' that she 
could not die, and yet she could not live, I called in some 
praying friends. The first prayed with great affection and 
importunity ; the second exceeded, and would have no nay, 
but relief must be sent now, immediately : my faith was 
much animated ; and, when he ceased, and I had engaged a 
third, I stepped into her apartment, to see how it Mas with 
her, and, to my joyful surprise, found her sitting up in the 
bed, wonderfully relieved, the burden fallen off, cheerful and 
thankful. So I went back, and concluded the service witk 
praise to Him, who, whilst we were calling, heard, and before 
we had done speaking, answered. 

This occasions me to tell you, that at this very time that 
friend who prayed second lies dangerously ill of a putrid fe- 
ver. Certainly you heard me several times tell of Mr. Sy- 
monds, an apothecary; such another < good man,' for whom 
the apostle supposes, i peradventure some would even dare 
to die:' a man of such unwearied diligence for both worlds, 
especially the upper, better world, that we have no man like- 
minded ; and I really question, whether you can find his 
equal in the united kingdoms : up in the morning at five, sel- 
dom in bed till after, midnight ; upon his knees three or four 
times every day ; though a strict Calvinist, full of good works, 
as if he thought to merit heaven ; mortified to the world as 
any hennit, and yet, diligent in business, as though he were 
most covetous. This good man began to be ill more than a 
fortnight since, but would not remit of his diligence till Sa- 
turday last, when he was forced to submit. Since that, he 
hath been closely confined ; and the last five days ; to his 



Ait.6l. AFFLICTIVE DISPENSATIONS. 399 

bed. The physician judges his case much worse than my 
wife's. Monday he was extremely low. Tuesday, we spent 
some hours in prayer, in the room with him. Wednesday, a 
little revived. That evening, Mr. Fawcett gave us a sermon 
in public (as usual the first Wednesday after the sacrament) 
from these words — ' Lord, behold he whom thou lovest is 
sick.' Then, after praying for him with great enlargement, 
Thursday being our market-day, he invited as many as were 
willing, to meet at two o'clock on Friday, to pray for Mr. 
Symonds. Accordingly, yesterday, a large assembly met: 
four prayed, and three suitable hymns were sung ; and then 
Mr. Fawcett concluded with prayer. Is not this the right 
way ? Blessed be God, to-day he is much better. He lies 
full of Divine consolations, at a point whether to live or die. 
He is about fifty-one, and the eldest of his five amiable chil- 
dren about twenty-one. His eldest son, aged fourteen (con- 
verted about four years ago, when his father was more dan- 
gerously ill, and for whom there were then eight or nine 
meetings for prayer), is bringing up with a view to the mi- 
nistry.* 

I agree with you, we should never be anxious, either for 
a chastisement, or a comfort, only i in every thing, by prayer 
and supplication,' &c. we may securely leave all to the great, 
the all-wise Disposer. We have here been under uneasy 
apprehensions of an opposition to Mr. Fawcett several years. 
Scarcely a tenth part of the congregation disrelish him, but 
many of these are rich ; and Mr. Butler hath all along been 
at the head of the opposition. In the night of the 10th of 
December, about midnight, he died suddenly, without a 
struggle or a groan ; and our fears, in a great measure, died 
with him. As you observe — Whether should we most ad- 

* That office he afterward filled with an exemplary fidelity. See 
" A Sermon, occasioned by the death of the Rev. Joshua Symonds, 
Pastor of the Congregational Church which assembles at the Old 
Meeting, Bedford : By John Ryland, jun. November 27, 1788," 



400 AFFLICTIVE DISPENSATIONS. 1753. 

mire, the depths of the Divine mercy, judgment, or pru- 
dence ? 

I thank you for your fellow-feeling, both of my pain and 
my joy. I have not been, nor am, wholly insensible, either 
of dear Mrs. Randall's sore affliction or yours, and have often 
had freedom to intercede on your behalf. I have a cheerful 
hope, that both -she and you will be armed with patience, 
and that it shall turn to your mutual benefit, which is better 
than the removal of the affliction. I doubt not you have 
long since adopted the language of the prophet—' Woe is 
me for my hurt, my wound is grievous : but I said, truly this 
is a grief, and I must bear it/ 

I very much approve your repeated proposal for forming 
pious youth to the ministry. Academies are, as they are ma- 
naged, serviceable or disserviceable. I do not think even 
Dr. Doddridge's was strictly enough governed.* Youth, I 
think, whilst there, should, as the apostle speaks of c the 
heir/ ' differ' little or * nothing from servants/ and be under 
strict restraint ; whereas, I fear, they have differed too little 
from gentlemen.f It is certain, many under his tuition have 
run into the scheme of the Remonstrants, and some into 
licentious practices. These consequences would be prevent- 
ed by the method you propose : but, I am afraid, few of the 
most pious, either of our dissenting ministers or people, will 
readily fall in with it. Mr. Pike, of London, hath set on 
foot something of that nature ; but it seems to be despised, 
and laughed at. J There is a too prevailing aversion, even 
among the pious, to laymen (those who have not had a libe- 
ral education), ministering in 'holy things/ and what can be 
expected from others ? However, I intend to recommend it 
to the persons you have named. I offered myself to the 

* See remarks on this subject in Orton's Letters to Dissenting Minis- 
ters, vol. i. let. 1. 
f Ibidem. 
X See Wilson's History of Dissenting Churches, vol, ii. p. 8©. 



JEt. 61. AFFLICTIVE DISPENSATIONS. 401 

work above twenty years ago, and several old, pious minis- 
ters* encouraged the thing ; but it was generally frowned 
upon, and treated with disdain. Even my own minister,*!* a 
pious man, when I called praying friends together, to ask 
counsel of God, would not vouchsafe so far to countenance 
the thing as to appear among us. God will do his own 
work, and send his own instruments. 

I think I must conclude my letter with Dr. Doddridge's 
swan-like song, lately come to my hands, which it is said he 
composed, and oft with pleasure repeated, on his death- 
bed :— 

" While on the verge of life I stand, 
u And view the scene on either hand, 
u My spirit struggles with its clay, 
" And longs to wing its flight away. 

" Where Jesus dwells, my soul would be ; 
" It faints, my much-lov'd Lord to see. 
" Earth, twine no more about my heart, 
€t For 'tis far better to depart. 

" Come, ye angelic envoys, come, 
" And lead the willing pilgrim home : 
" You know the way to Jesu's throne, 
" Source of my joys, and of your own. 

" That blessed interview ! how sweet, 
" To fall transported at his feet ! 
u Rais'd in his arms — to view 7 his face 
•• Through the full beamings of his grace. 

* Among whom were the Rev. R. Pearsall, Dr. Owen of Warring- 
ton, the Rev. J. Mottershead of Manchester, and the Rev. .■ 
Wood of that neighbourhood, or the Rev. James j Wood of London, 
who died May 15, 1742. 

t The Rev. M. Bradshaw. 

Dd 



402 



SANCTIFIED AFFLICTIONS. 



1753 = 



(l To view Heav'n's shining courtiers round, 
" Each with immortal glories crown'd ; 
" And, while his form in each I trace, 
" Belov'd, and loving, all t' embrace. 

" As with a seraph's voice, to sing ; 
" To fly, as on a cherub's wing ; 
4t Performing with unweary'd hands, 
" A perfect Saviour's high commands. 

u Yet, with this prospect full in sight, 
" I wait his signal for my flight ; 
" For 'tis a heav'n begun, to know, 
" To love, and serve my Lord below." 

I returned, in health and safety, the 25th of November, 
from a six-weeks' journey, in which I had great experience of 
the providential care and kindness of our heavenly Father, 
having been rescued from two threatening dangers, preserved 
in perfect health through all the journey, and had delightful 
interviews with my children, both at the Isle of Wight and at 
London. And now, dear sir, farewell in the Lord ; may 
you be receiving, from time to time, large supplies of the 
Spirit, spending and being spent in his service, and bringing 
many sons and daughters unto glory. May the Lord love 
you, and bless you abundantly. My best respects to your 
dear partner. My dear Theodosia,* though unknown, would 
salute you both in the Lord. I am, in great sincerity, yours, 

J.W, 

SANCTIFIED AFFLICTIONS. 

To his daughter Hanbury. 

Kendal, March 5, 17 53. 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

I hear no harm of you ; nay, I hear what is very good ; 
for a friend of yours, and much more of mine, tells me that 

* The Editor has not discovered who this person was : see, however, 
p. 334. 



JEt.Gl. SANCTIFIED AFFLICTIONS. 403 

you are much better. But it implies, that you have been 
much worse ; and this I cannot hear without some feeling 
of your griefs, though past. The psalmist says — 'As a 
father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear 
him :' which implies, that he who hath the heart of a father, 
cannot but pity his child under affliction. I can truly say, 
since I have been a father, I have never wanted a tender 
concern for mine, nor for yourself in particular. Nor, is 
my pity for you unattended with an earnest concern, that 
your afflictions may be productive of the choicest mercies. 
An approved author says — " Sanctified afflictions are 
heavenly promotions." You have had a large share of 
bodily afflictions. Have they been sanctified to you, so as 
to increase yonr 'humiliation under the mighty hand of 
God?' Have they been the means by which you have been 
more ' crucified to the world, and the world to you ?' Have 
they made you pray more and better, with greater enlarge- 
ment, and with more entire resignation to the Divine will ? 
These are some of God's gracious ends in afflicting his 
children ; and these, I trust, have been answered in some 
considerable degree, by the many great trials, though chiefly 
of a different kind, which his wise and gracious providence, 
from time to time, hath seen meet to exercise me with. 
Often have I had just occasion to sing, with Mr. Mason — 

" O happy rod ! 
" That brought me nearer to my God." 

Be not over and above solicitous for health and ease : but 
you cannot be too solicitous for a sanctified use and improve- 
ment of afflictions. ' Blessed is the man whom thou chasten- 
est, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law.' The blessedness 
does not flow merely from chastening, but from the chasten- 
ing as connected with the teaching. Under our chastenings, 
therefore, may we never fail to search and inquire diligently, 

D D 2 






404 ON REJOICING IN TRIBULATION. 1763, 

nor ever forget to pray that God would ' shew us wherefore 
he contendeth with us.' My prayers shall be for you, as 
well for the recovery of your health, as the sanctifying of 
your afflictions. Cease not to pray for yourself, your hus- 
band, your children, and likewise for your affectionate father, 

J. W. 

ON REJOICING IN TRIBULATION : &C. 

To the Rev. T. Randall. 

Kidderminster, April 21, 1753. 

VERY DEAR SIR, 

< Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh/ 
I cannot forbear telling you, that part of the two last days 
has been employed in reading over The life of Dean Pri- 
deaux, author of The connection of the Old and New Tes- 
tament. It is a society-book, and came to me, together 
with Fordyce's Art of Preaching. The latter I intended to 
peruse : to the former, I thought I should vouchsafe no more 
than a cursory view : and yet, it has so fallen out, that I 
have perused the former before I have read a page of the 
latter. What induced me to do so, I can scarcely tell ; but 
it seems to me, that no book has done me so much good a 
great while. Perhaps you may be ready to wonder what 
great good such a Life can do me : Here is deep erudition, 
zeal for external reformation in the University, a most scru- 
pulous exactness, in settling and dividing the temporalities 
belonging to the cathedral, strenuous zeal against popery, 
and really a becoming zeal for reforming the lives and man- 
ners of the clergy, as also for propagating Christian know- 
ledge in the East Indies ; a most critical knowledge of the 
historical part of the Bible ; and, together with all this, 
there appears in his writings a deep penetration, great 
strength of reasoning, exactness of judgment, a large com- 
pass of thought, and, in short, every thing I could wish or 
expect to see in a gentleman, a scholar, or even a divine, 



JfcBl. ON REJOICING IN TRIBULATION. 405 

except the * one thing needful/ Perhaps, the defect might 
lie in the biographer ; but so it is, though I read every line 
in the book, consisting of 2Q0 pages, I can find nothing 
in the accounts of the Dean's life, or death, or in his 
writings (which make up about one half of the book), 
that has the least savour of experimental religion, or carries 
any evidence that he knew any more of the new birth than 
Nicodemus. 1 do not much wonder at it. Is it not 
a fulfilling of the Scripture? — such 'things are hid from 
the wise and prudent :' and, ' not many wise men after 
the flesh, &c are' called. ' But I wonder greatly at the 
riches of that grace of God by which I am what I am. I 
have not felt such workings of humble thankfulness to God, 
for his special, distinguishing grace, a great while : and, it 
has led me also, to wonder at my stupidity and ingratitude, 
and thoughtless insensibility, at so rich a vouchsafement. 
I remember a private Christian, of distinguished eminency,* 
told me, with an air of uncommon solemnity, thirty-eight 
years ago, that " nothing tends more to grieve the Holy 
Spirit, and cause him to withdraw, than the unthankfulness 
of Christians for his special, renewing, sanctifying grace." 
Oh ! for a more thankful sense of this his everlasting love. 
How should it command all my powers, and subject every 
thought ! Is it not the new song of Heaven — ' Thou wast 
slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy own blood I' 
and shall we not begin to sing, here upon earth — i Unto 
him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own 

blood r 

Good Mr. Symonds, betwixt whose life and death the 
balance was sometimes preponderating to the right, and 
sometimes to the left ; and for whom prayer was made 
without ceasing of the church unto God ; is again to a 
miracle, restored to his usefulness : and so are many other 

* Mr, Clymer; see January 31, 1716. 
D D 3 



406 ON REJOICING IN TRIBULATION. 1753. 

valuable friends, since I wrote you last. It was a season of 
much sickness here, many months, by the prevalence of a 
putrid fever. Scarcely a week, from Christmas till the 
middle of February (and longer than that, as I have been 
informed), in which a number of praying friends, often six 
or seven, besides others who joined, were called together, 
to intercede with God for some important life, then in 
jeopardy. A remarkable spirit of grace and supplications 
was poured out ; great freedom of access, and boldness, and 
enlargement; and, in several instances, even whilst we were 
calling, the Lord heard, and the patient was wonderfully 
revived before we rose from our knees : nor, was a single life 
denied us, among six or seven, for whom united intercession 
was made. It is, however, worth observation, that whereas 
the Lord being determined to take away a desirable young 
man, the eldest son in one of our best families, whose father 
is my dear kinsman and very particular friend, he would 
not suffer us to meet to pray for him. The young man was 
confined a fortnight by a slow fever, and no danger appre- 
hended, till Lord's-day evening. His parents had agreed to 
call us together next morning ; but he was snatched away 
about four o'clock, before any of us were up. For these 
things f shall every one that is godly* make his prayer unto 
Thee. What honour hath the Lord bestowed on social 
prayer ! And yet, we cannot expect that it shall be al- 
ways so. 

But I would ask dear Mrs. Randall, as Dr. Watts does — 

" Whence, then, should doubts and fears arise ? 
" Why trickling sorrows drown our eyes r" 

The answer is obvious : Not because there is not suffi- 
cient provision made in the everlasting covenant ; but, as we 
read in the next lines — 

u Slowly, alas ! our mind receives 

" The comforts that our Maker gives." 



Jit. 61. ON REJOICING IN TRIBULATION. 407 

The Apostle says — ' But I would have you without careful- 
ness :' and he certainly spoke the mind of Christ. Christ 
would have every disciple of his without carefulness, with- 
out anxiety ; and this, as to spirituals, as well as to tem- 
porals. He would have us cast all our cares upon him, be- 
cause he careth for us : and, as Dr. Watts sings— 
" His arm shall well sustain 
" The children of his love : 
u The ground on which our safety stands, 
" No earthly (no, nor hellish) pow'r can move." 

Believing is — not doubting, nor fearing : — though I deny- 
not, that some degrees of doubt, and fear too, may 
stand with true faith, yet as * perfect love casteth out 
fear/ so perfect faith excludes doubting. Were our own 
interest out of the case, is it not a pity so tender, so kind a 
Friend should be distrusted ! Would not Mrs. Randall think 
herself dishonoured, yea provoked, and her regard slighted, 
if she promised me something in her power, and I told her 
to her face, I did not believe her ? Has the Lord Jesus 
promised any thing he is not able to give ? And is not He 
witness to every distrustful fear ? I would persuade Mrs. 
Randall to consider what a peculiar advantage and oppor- 
tunity is put into her hands, by means of this tedious con^ 
finement, this long affliction (under which I sincerely pity 
and sympathize with her and you), of doing honour to the 
Lord Jesus, ' and to the doctrine which is according to god- 
liness,' by rejoicing in tribulation, rejoicing in Christ Jesus. 
How must it recommend his good ways, when [others ob- 
serve that his children and servants, not only sing at their 
work, but under the rod too ! Sure, they will conclude, 
such a one serves a good master, who gives her comforts 
we know nothing of. — Certainly, such a one's religious prin- 
ciples, on which she builds all her hopes, must be right, 

d d4 



408 HAPPINESS UNDER SUFFERING. 1753. 

which can enable her to pray and praise with a merry heart, 
like Paul and Silas in the stocks. It is an honour to religion, 
and to its Author, when, in health, and strength, and full 
prosperity, it teaches us to deny l ungodliness, and worldly 
lusts/ Sec; and, I think, no less so when it cheers under 
adversity, and makes the heart glad that otherwise would be 
bowed down by afflictions. What a glorious figure does 
Habakkuk make, e rejoicing in the Lord and joying in the 
God of his salvation,' when besieged with wants ! And this, 
reminds me of a passage I took notice of, many years ago, 
in Dr. Preston on the Divine Attributes, to this purpose — 
That if we would be happy, in whatsoever state, we must 
not make too many things necessary to our happiness ; and 
insists, that we must make but 'one thing' necessary thereto. 
All other things we may be deprived of; but that ' one thing* 
none can take away from us. If we set our hearts on a hus- 
band, a wife, a child, health, prosperity, this or the other de-> 
sirable entertainment ; all these things are loseable : but if 
we take up our £ portion' in God and Christ, ' that good part 5 
none can take away from us. Yours, &c, 

J. W. 

HAPPINESS NOT INCOMPATIBLE WITH SUFFERING, 

To Mrs. Richards.* 

Kidderminster, April 23, 1753, 

DEAR SISTER, 

If we look only with eyes of flesh there is no happiness 
without health and strength ; but if the eye of faith be clear, 
we may be happy without either. The three men were never 
so happy as while they were in the l fiery furnace/ and that 
because ' the Son of God' was with them. Is he not as cer- 
tainly with every child of his who may be in the furnace of 

* She died a few years after her husband (see p. 207), and has been 
described to the Editor as " a woman of great beauty and commanding 
talents/' 



/E/.61. SACRAMENTAL MEDITATION. 409- 

affliction ! I am, indeed, sorry for yourindisposition, but why 
should I be so . ? You are under your Father's discipline, 
who will surely do you good by it : therefore, whether your 
health continue to decline, nay, whether you live or die, I 
shall not ' sorrow* as one who hath ' no hope/ ' No chasten- 
ing for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous/ and 
we are expected to * weep with them that weep ;' yet as I 
have entered into the last stage of life, it is more than time 
that I should ' weep as though I wept not/ I do not want 
many months of the age of our dear and much honoured fa- 
ther, when his stronger constitution was worn out by pains 
and cares. How long I am to sojourn in this tabernacle, I 
know not, neither do I wish to know ; as Mr. Baxter sings — 

" It is enough that Christ knows all." 
My strength, as yet, is firm, my health uninterrupted, my 
children well settled and provided for, and ' my steps washed 
with butter/ Why all this? Not for any worthiness in me; 
nor any superior prudence over others in ordering my affairs ! 
— It must be resolved into 'the good pleasure of his will/ 
God certainly hath wise ends to promote by your present af- 
fliction, or it would not be bestowed on you ; and what ' he 
doeth we know not now, but we shall know hereafter/ To 
the care and love of our heavenly Father I heartily commend 
you, and am, dear sister, your sympathizing brother, 

J.W. 

SACRAMENTAL MEDITATION. 

Lord's-day, July 8, 1753. O my soul, this is the last 
sabbath in which I am to join in public worship in our old 
meeting-house; to-morrow being the day fixed on for begin- 
ning to take it down, in order to its being rebuilt on addi- 
tional ground. This, therefore, is the last season I am to 
have, of renewing my covenant with God, in the place where 
I have done it, in the space of forty-two years, near five hun- 
dred times. Will this be my last covenanting season in the 



410 TRADING FOR CHRIST RECOMMENDED. 1753. 

old meeting-house ? And, how do I know it will not be my 
last upon earth, the last before the ' house of this tabernacle 
shall be dissolved!' Dissolved it must be. ' It is appoint- 
ed unto men once to die/ I am now an old man, and if I 
were not, I am a mortal man. Blessed be God for a glori- 
ous hope of a blissful immortality beyond the grave. Oh ! 
for the quickening, humbling, cheering influences of his good 
Spirit at this time, that whilst I am sealing my covenant with 
the Lord, he may also seal his covenant with me, and to me. 
May I be all reverence and fear in his presence, all love and 
thankfulness to Jesus ! Oh ! that in this last gospel-feast in 
the old house, I may have a foretaste of that wine which is 
ever ' new in our Father's kingdom ;' and, may this be a day, 
and this a season, much to be remembered in future time, 
and through a joyful eternity ! So be it. Amen, come Lord 
Jesus ! 

Evening. Blessed be God, the God of ordinances, this 
shall not, I trust, be reckoned among my lost sabbaths. He 
that ' was known of the brethren at Emmaus/ made known 
himself also to me { in the breaking of bread/ ' Or ever I 
was aware, I was as the chariots of Aminadab/ ' Rejoice, 
O my soul, in the Lord always/ 



TRADING FOR CHRIST RECOMMENDED. 

To his nephew Watson. 

Manchester, September 4, 17^3. 

DEAR COUSIN, 

Last Lord's-day Mr. Whitefleld, after praying for those 
who preach for Christ, prayed also for those who trade for 
Christ. May you and I be of that happy number. Of other 
tradesmen it may be said, ' they have their reward ;' while 
these are laying up for themselves • treasures in heaven/ and 
in the mean time have a higher relish of what they possess, 
be that more or less. If we trade for Christ we must, every 
day as we go on, praise him for all our success, ask counsel 



JEt. 61. GOD, THE DIRECTOR OF OUR STEPS. 411 

of him how we shall lay out the increase, and do all we do 
by the rule of his word, and with an eye to his glory. If we 
trade for Christ, we shall not have our hearts much lifted up 
with mere worldly prosperity ; not lifted up in pride, though 
they will be in praise that we have wherewith to do the more 
for his glory. Nor need we, on the contrary, be much cast 
down by adversity : unless indeed, it have befallen us through 
our own fault or neglect ; when, we ought to be humbled 
for our unfaithfulness in our stewardship, and to watch and 
pray the more. Perhaps, also, we ought to be so far affected 
as to grieve in some measure, that through our inability 
to advance the interest of Christ it hath suffered any diminu- 
tion. If we trade for Christ we certainly trade with his 
stock, and whatever we give to his church, or to his poor, 
we shall give to him; and, therefore, need not do it grudg- 
ingly. In short, if we trade for him, our minds may be ' kept 
in pellet peace/ being in all events * stayed' on him, and 
trusting in him. Who, now, would trade for themselves only, 
when they may have such an able, wise, bountiful Master to 

trade for ! I am, dear cousin, your faithful partner, 

J. W. 

GOD, THE DIRECTOR OF OUR STEPS. 
Saturday, September 15, 1753. This day week I return- 
ed from a North journey ; and I would now remark, that I 
found on this, what I have often experienced on former oc- 
casions, not too resolutely to abide by an intention to set out 
on a long journey on any appointed day ; but to observe and 
follow the leadings of Providence, believing that though l a 
man's heart deviseth his way, the Lord directeth his steps/ 
The contingency of second causes is nicely adjusted by an 
unerring Providence. Several remarkable and pleasing in- 
cidents which occurred on my journey, depended on my set- 
ting out having been postponed from Monday, July 30, to 
the following Wednesday. On that day, Mr. Fawcett, as a 
preparation sermon for the ensuing sacramental occasion, 



412 COUNSEL TO THE FRIENDS OF A MINISTER. 1753* 

preached from the words — ' O my soul, thou hast said unto 
the Lord, Thou art my Lord/ The discourse was wholly 
applicatory — to such as were brought into the bonds of the 
covenant in their infancy, but had never made it their own 
act and deed ; to those who had renewed it in secret, but 
never publicly ; and, to such as are often renewing it at the 
Lord's table. The last of these classes were exhorted " often 
to reflect on their solemn covenant transactions in the lan- 
guage of the text." This came to me with power, and was 
fixed on my mind. It greatly pleased me, and I resolved to 
be more than formerly in direct acts of recognizing my in- 
terest in God, and my relation to him ; and that for these 
reasons :• — because it is the most important transaction I have 
to reflect on in my whole life, and the best bargain I ever 
made : because otherwise I shall be in great danger of for- 
getting it ; and, because such employment is most pleasant 
and profitable. In the evening, 1 commenced my journey ; 
and the next day, riding alone, I took occasion to say to the 
Lord — ( Thou art my Lord ;' and i my soul magnified the 
Lord, my spirit rejoiced in God my Saviour/ Thus, I fre- 
quently, during the journey, called to mind my privilege of 
having the Lord for c my Lord/ and my heart triumphed in 
holy joy ; my faith was kept in lively exercise ; and I often 
felt pleasure that I did not turn my back on ordinances, but 
made worldly pursuits truckle to religious opportunities. 

COUNSEL TO THE FRIENDS OF A MINISTER 

WHO WAS UNDER DEJECTION OF MIND : 

Addressed to a Daughter of that Minister, 

Kidderminster, October 20, 1? o3> 

DEAR MADAM, 

It grieves me much that the evening of your honoured 
father's life is so overcast. That such a vessel of mercy, a 
chosen vessel, a vessel to honour, should be like a broken 
vessel ; and that he who has instructed and comforted 



y£7.Gl. COUNSEL TO THE FRIENDS OF A MINISTER. 413 
many, should now need instruction from others how to ob- 
tain comfort, grieves me for his own sake : and it grieves 
me, madam, for your sake ; for that of your brother and sis- 
ter, who I know sensibly share in the affliction ; and, also, 

for Mrs. , who shares more deeply and sensibly still. 

I am no less grieved on account of his church, his dear 
charge, who cannot but share in the stroke by which their 
good shepherd is wounded. 

Let us, however, make the best of this dispensation of 
Providence, which is an instructive lesson, and confirms to 
me what experience, in some measure, taught me twenty- 
eight years ago, that no man, be he ever so close and cir- 
cumspect a walker with God, ever so diligent and sincere in 
self-examination, can make his c calling and election sure ;* 
and, consequently, cannot keep his evidences of salvation 
bright and clear. I would not be mistaken: we can 'give 
diligence' in order thereto, but cannot effect the thing. As 
it is free grace that adopts us into ' the household of faith/ 
so is it the same grace that gives us the evidences of our 
adoption : such a choice gift, such a free gift the Lord be- 
stows on whom he pleaseth. In great mercy he bestows it 
on some, and in as great mercy withholds it from others of 
his children. Let us, therefore, c give diligence,' this is our 
duty ; and if we obtain the inestimable gift, let us not lay 
claim to any merit for our diligence, but render thanks to 
the bountiful Giver. Because his gift is free, let not any 
child of God be discouraged. The comforts of the Holy 
Spirit contribute much to the well-being of a Christian, but 
are by no means necessary to the being a Christian. The 
ends of Providence are equally wise in withholding, as in 
shedding abroad, the light of his countenance. Indeed, it 
is but little at most, that we can know of the ends of divine 
Providence in particular dispensations ; for, ' Who hath 
known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his coim ] 



414 COUNSEL TO THE FRIENDS OF A MINISTER. 1755, 

sellor? , This we do know* that all his 'ways are judgment;' 
yea, that they are all ' mercy and truth/ When the Lord 
lifts up, it is for the exalting of his praise ; often, indeed, it 
is to fortify the soul previously to some sharp encounter in 
his battles; and often, to dispose the mind for some very 
self-denying service to which he may call it : so, when he 
casteth down it is to ' hide pride from man.' Certainly, 
whatever humbles is profitable for such poor, proud worms 
as the best of mortals are. By casting down, the Lord cures 
or prevents spiritual pride, the worst of all pride ; he brings 
us on our knees before him in the lowest prostration ; pours 
on us ' the spirit of grace and supplications ;' and having thereby 
fitted us for a reception of his favour, he at once fulfils his 
promises, and glorifies the riches of his mercy in granting us 
the mercies for which we have been asking, seeking, and 
knocking at his door. 

Who knows, madam, whether in your father's case the 
Lord be not reproving you, me, and others, rather than him ; 
and at the same time instructing us, that we may the better 
know our duty ! If you ask — For what may he be reprov- 
ing us ? I must not shun to answer — Idolatry ! When any 
creature is in any degree set in God's stead there is a corres- 
ponding degree of idolatry. About twenty-seven or twenty- 
eight years since, an eminent Christian, my father's friend 
and my own, fell into a deep melancholy ; so deep as to lay 
violent hands on himself. He had been a man of such con- 
spicuous piety, humility, and universal goodness, that no 
person moved his tongue against his character. Neverthe- 
less it was a dark providence. A pious friend in Glouces- 
tershire, who had long known and greatly admired the per- 
son to whom I allude, wrote for my opinion, how I thought 
such a dispensation might be best accounted for. Really, I 
could think of nothing so likely to have brought such a dark 
cloud over this setting sun, as his having been overvalued by 



jEt.6\. COUNSELTO THE FRIENDS OF A MINISTER. 415 

many Christians in town, both ministers and people. He 
was too much trusted in. For my own part, if I were in 
any perplexity, and could but procure his advice ; or if I 
were sick, and could get him to pray with and for me, I 
had, methought, nothing to fear, but every thing to expect. 
Now, the Lord will have his children dearly loved, and 
duly esteemed, but he is jealous of his honour. If they rival 
him in our hearts, down they must go, and we must be 
taught to ' cease from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; 
for wherein is he to be accounted of ?' 

Again; who knows whether or not, the dark providence un- 
der which your honoured father labours be to stir up all his 
spiritual children, but particularly those of his own family and 
his own flock, to pray the more for him : I do not mean 
singly only, but socially. l The Lord loveth the gates of 
Zion more than the dwellings of Jacob/ We do not ordi- 
narily pray so fervently, or so copiously on any particular 
case, in our devout retirements, or even in family worship, 
as when half a dozen, or half a score serious Christians 
met before the Lord, unite their supplications as one man. 
There are peculiar promises in favour of such a method 
of proceeding. The praying men of your society cannot 
but look on this event as a loud call to them to intercede 
most fervently at ' the throne of grace/ When any corpor- 
ation or community has a favour to ask of the legislature 
every member does not send his individual petition, but all 
join in one united address or petition. The eyes of God in 
Christ are always open, and his ears attend both to the 
single and social supplications of his people. Your good 
friends, I doubt not, are all, in secret duty, praying 
without ceasing for their pastor. I hope, also, they are in 
the practice of meeting, at least once a week, to pray with 
each other for him. If not, I do now very deliberately 
advise and earnestly beseech them, as they value the life and 




416 COUNSEL TO THE FRIENDS OF A MINISTER. 1753* 
labors of their pastor, without delay to set about it. Assure 
them rom me, that when we were destitute of a pastor, a 
number of us, for the space of two years, never failed, twice 
a week, to meet and implore at ' the throne of grace/ mainly, 
that God would provide us a pastor after his own heart : nor 
did we seek him in vain ! for before a month was past we 
had a signal answer to our prayers ; a good pledge in favour 
of the particular mercy prayed for. The answer was given 
in God's time, which is always the best time. Let me per- 
suade you, dear madam, to use your interest to engage your 
friends in this duty, if they have not yet begun, which I can 
hardly doubt ; and to persevere therein at least once a week. 
If they do so, the prayer of faith will prevail. Your friends 
may assure themselves of the concurrence of our prayers. 

I have one word of advice to give your good father : which 
is, that he should not only pray for faith, but at the same 
time put forth an act of faith ; not only pray for an appro- 
priating faith, but exert appropriating faith. This w T as the 
way I obtained assurance twenty-eight years ago, after I had 
been on the borders of despair. I and many of our church 
lost considerable sums by a bankrupt merchant of London. 
Mr. Bradshaw on that occasion preached from the words — 
* Thou art my portion, O Lord/ When I was employed in 
my business day by day, the aspiration was in my mind, and 
forty times a day I wished and prayed — Oh ! that he were 
my portion ; Oh ! that I could say with David — ' Thou art 
my portion, O Lord.' At last, I thought I would venture to 
adopt his language and make it my own. I ventured, but 
still with a trembling heart. Believing in Christ is a venture- 
some thing. I first, rather chose to say — Thou shah be my 
portion, O Lord ; but afterward, I was able to say with 
some degree of confidence — < Thou art my portion, O Lord.' 
From that time it was my frequent ejaculation ; and is at this 
day ; and it hath contributed much to feed my hope and com- 
fort. I would persuade your father to adopt this course. 



JEt.Sl. SELF-EXAMINATION. 417 

Let him cry — My Jesus ! my Beloved ! and, my Friend ! 
for thus saith the Lord — ' Resist the devil, and he will flee 
from you.' I would recommend your praying friends to pre- 
face their intercessions on your father's behalf, with thanks- 
giving for what they so long enjoyed in and under him. I 
am, with great respect, dear madam, your obliged humble 

servant, 

J. W. 

SELF-EXAMINATION. 

Saturday evening, December 1, 17*53. It was five weeks 
yesterday since my daughter Hanbury was within my doors. 
Poor woman! how little did she, or any person, think what 
a mournful scene was then opening upon her : what an awful 
change was passing upon her husband ! In the midst of life 
we are in death. The evening after my daughter had been 
with us, I and my wife went to see her, not knowing that her 
husband was ailing. We found both of them extremely ill. 
She began quickly to mend ; but he grew worse apace, and 
after long wrestling with death, he died, Lord's-day, No- 
vember 11. Now, what am I to learn from this awful 
stroke of Providence ? He possessed a good constitution, 
and was in full strength, being in his forty-second year. Does 
it not speak to me, who am nineteen years elder, and say — ■ 
' Be ye also ready, for the Son of man cometh at an hour 
when you think not ?' 

Come then, O my soul, and submit to examination. Strictly 
survey thy heart and thy ways. Speak, conscience, and speak 
impartially. I shall be judged at another rate, by Him whose 
' eyes are as a flame of fire,' who ' searcheth the reins and the 
hearts' of all. Nevertheless, 'if my heart condemn me 
not,' if mine be a duly enlightened conscience, I may 
* have boldness towards God.' Yea, I know he does not 
condemn me, for my conscience does not condemn me. 
I do not love him as I ought, yet ' he that knoweth all 
things/ does surely t know that I love him ;' yea, that I love 

Ee 















418 SELF-EXAMINATION. 1753U 

him supremely, more than I love any thing else in the world, 
There is no creature upon earth I love as I do my wife : yet 
surely, I love Christ more than my wife, and love him the 
more for making her so suitable and agreeable to me, and so 
studious to please me in all things, and to please and oblige 
every one of my children. I love my children, and rejoice 
in all their prosperity : but, what is my wife, or what are my 
children to me, compared with Him, who ' hath loved me, 
and w 7 ashed me from my sins in his own blood !' He hath 
given me great worldly prosperity, and is still making it to 
grow ; yet, through the riches of his grace, • though' earthly 
' riches increase,' hitherto I have ' not set my heart upon 
them.' I would rather live a life of communion with God 
in utter poverty, than enjoy the greatest fulness of outward 
prosperity without it. I would rather know, that ' God is 
my portion/ and hath l loved' me ( with an everlasting love/ — 
that Christ ' is my beloved, and I am his/ than have all this 
earth to be mine, without such knowledge. I would rather 
endure abject poverty, and together therewith, scorn, re- 
proach, contempt, and persecution; yea, ' to be hated of all 
men, for the sake of Christ/ than be the greatest and most 
honourable man upon earth, without good evidences of the 
love of God. Certainly, I rejoice in prosperity, but I rejoice 
in it as the gift of God, and as a means whereby I am ren- 
dered more capable of supporting his interest, and promot- 
ing Ms glory, to which I am daily devoting all I have, and 
all I am. I thought it my duty to give a hundred and fifty 
pounds towards building a house for God. But I am amazed 
at the profusion of the Divine bounty since I did that. I am 
fully persuaded the Lord hath given me more since that sub- 
scription, than I ever gained by trading before in the same 
number of months. This experience hath confirmed my re- 
solution to contribute, according to my ability, whatever his 
cause may want. I bless God, the heaping up of wealth is 
nothing in my esteem, The doing of ^ood works, whereby 



JEt. 62. KIS LIBERALITY REWARDED. 41 9 

God may be glorified, and my neighbour edified, so far as I 
know my own heart, is a thousand times more to me, than to 
have it said, when I am dead — He died worth so much. I 
love my life. Every man loves his life. It is a principle 
implanted and rooted in our nature. I must cease to be a 
man, before I can cease to love my life. i The father of lies' 
spoke a great truth, when he said — l Skin for skin, yea, all 
that a man hath will he give for his life/ I can die but once, 
and that trial is not yet come. Am I willing to die, if God 
should call me hence ? Could I cheerfully part with life and 
all its comforts, now that I enjoy such a fulness of prosper- 
ity, and a vigorous constitution beyond most of my years, 
for the sake of enjoyments that are out of sight, and can only 
be viewed by the eye of faith ? Indeed, it is hard to say, 
before it comes, how shall I bear such a trial : but, as I have 
often ' rejoiced in hope of the glory of God/ and as I have 
no present doubt of the pardon of my sins, or of my interest 
in the blood of Christ, so the thoughts of death, at pre- 
sent, wear no terror. ' I would not live alway.' Methinks ' I 
have' rather ' a desire,' when God hath wrought all his work 
in me, for me, and by me, ' to depart and to be with Christ, 
which' I firmly believe to be 'far better.' ' Even so. Amen, 
come Lord Jesus.' 

HIS LIBERALITY REWARDED. 

To Mr. Benjamin Watson. 

Kidderminster, December 3, 1753. 

DEAR BROTHER, 

Your son and I are getting money like dust, and as dust 
may we always esteem it, but not so dispose of it : for money 
is an important trust, and we must use it as those who are to 
give an account. I am really amazed, when I look at the 
profusion of the Divine bounty to us, particularly since I de- 
voted, seven months ago, a hundred pounds, ^nd your son 

E e 2 



420 HIS LIBERALITY REWARDED. 1753. 

tfiirty, towards building an house for God. Since I first 
* purposed in' my ' heart' to do this, once or twice it has been 
ready to recoil at the fear lest the above sum might be too 
much for me to give, but at such times the words of the ' man 
of God Amaziah' have darted into my mind— ( The Lord is 
able to give thee much more than this :' and really, he has^ 
abundantly proved that, to be not only his own word, but his 
word to me. On looking over our returns in trade for the 

last seven months, I find them to amount to about 

pounds more than we ever before returned in the same num- 
ber of months ; out of which our profits cannot be so little as 

pounds. Here is at least two hundred and fifty 

pounds more than our usual increase, which the Lord has 
already given us as bounty-money for the hundred and thirty 
pounds we lent to him. Now, why should I set limits to 
what I contribute for the service of the Lord, who is dealing 
out favours to me with so unsparing a hand ! What do I 
give him but his own ! God forbid, that I should glory in 
an ostentatious way ; but, why should not ' my soul make 
her boast in the Lord,' and tell of his faithfulness ? 1 lately 
heard it remarked in company, that — " The elder men grow, 
they are apt to become more and more covetous." I have 
always thought it to be a shame for a man to grow more co- 
vetous because he grows elder. Why should we cling faster 
to the world, the nearer we are to leaving it? If God be a 
man's ' portion/ and heaven his inheritance, and he have 
1 good hope through grace,' he will set his heart on nothing 
so much as on his portion and inheritance! Certainly, it 
must be so where faith is in lively exercise. The more our 
hearts are set on God and heaven, the more we shall seek to 
have '■ our fellowship' i with the Father, and with his Son 
Jesus Christ,' and to have ' our conversation' ' in heaven ;' 
for the love of the world and the love of God are inconsist- 
ent. " In old age," as the late piou^ and ingenious Mr. 
Reynolds sings — 



Mt. 62. ON TRE PHRASE — " A MERRY CHRISTMAS." 4£1 

" Let it be my work and rest, 

" To learn the labours of the blest, 

€i Loosen from clay, and upward move, 

u A candidate for realms above. 

" So, when this busy, silent age 

u Shall finish its appointed stage, 

" Thus fill'd with life, and fir'd with love, 

" To the transcendent realms above, 

" With dutiful content may I, 

" An honest, old plebeian die ; 

" Or puritan, if so you please, — 

" The race lovVi piety and peace !" 

I am, dear brother, yours affectionately, 

J.W. 

ON THE PHRASE — " A MERRY CHRISTMAS." 

To his son-in-law Mr. James Kirkpatrick .* 

Kidderminster, December — , 1753. 

DEAR SIR, 

It is customary for friends to wish each other a merry 
Christmas. I confess I wish no such thing either to you or 
myself. Such holy mirth as Christ came, in human nature, 
to fill the hearts of those he came to save with, I heartily 
wish you : and in this sense, and from such a motive, may 
you, I, and every redeemed soul, not only rejoice at Christ- 
mas, but l rejoice evermore.' I can hardly forbear wishing 
you had heard the sermons Mr. Fawcett gave us yesterday, 
especially his third sermon, from the words — ' For this pur- 
pose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy 
the works of the devil.' He concluded with these advices : — 
"Account that a work of the devil which disnts you for the 
love and service of God and Christ, and tends to encourage 
others in sin : Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works 

* He died November 4, 1732, aged 71. 
EE3 




422 OF HIS RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 1753. 

of darkness ; but rather reprove them : If we choose wicked 
people for our companions we shall soon be like them : Ne- 
ver engage in any design, of whatever kind, on which you 
cannot seriously beg the Divine blessing by fervent prayer : 
The works of the devil are directly coutrary to a spirit of 
prayer ; he hates nothing so much as prayer : Where is the 
man who is going to card-playing, who can lift up his heart 
to God in prayer, and say — Lord, make this recreation pro- 
fitable both to my soul and body ; and enable me to engage 
in it to thy glory ! Take pleasure in spending those hours to 
the glory of God, and the fartherance and cultivation of the 
peace of your own consciences, which others spend in vaia 
and sinful pleasures. " That this last sentiment might be 
more acceptable, Mr. Fawcett closed with these lines, which 
are a paraphrase, by Dr. Doddridge, on the motto of his 
own coat-of-arms — Dum vivimus vivamus : — 

" Live, while you live, the epicure would say, 
" And seize the pleasures of the present day."* 
" Live, zchile you live, the sacred preacher cries, 
" And give to God each moment as it flies."^ 
" Lord, in my view, let both united be : 
"■ I live in pleasure, when I live to thee !" J 

I heartily wish, and will labour to my utmost power, to 
promote the happiness of you and yours, and am, dear sir, 
your cordial friend, &c. J. W. 

HIS RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE ALLUDED TO. 

To M r. Joseph Green. 

Kidderminster, December 29, 1 7o3, 

DEAR SIR, 

Why should you refuse to correspond with me in a way 
which you seem to apprehend would be beneficial to you f 

* 1 Cor. xv. 32. f Eccl. ix. 10. 

% Dr. S. Johnson had sufficient candour to call this, one of the finest 
epigrams in the English language. 



JEt. (32. THANKS AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 423 

For my part, I enjoy as much worldly prosperity, and am get- 
ting money at fast as my heart can wish : and yet mine is a 
deceitful heart indeed, if my religious correspondence be not 
by far dearer to me than any other : those favours by which I 
obtain the most lucrative acquisitions, may all ' make them- 
selves wings/ and ' fly away' before my soul shall have taken its 
flight into the regions of immortality. Jf not, I shall shortly 
drop such correspondence, which will be no longer mine, 
together with this i earthly tabernacle :' but my religious 
correspondence has given my soul many a lift heaven-ward, 
and has proved the means of animating my faith in God — 
inflaming my love to him — drawing forth my desires after 
him — mortifying my love to this world — ravishing my soul 
with heavenly joy on earth — and enlivening and confirming 
my hopes of future glory. Is there any other gain compara- 
parable with such gain as this ? Besides, our * works' will 
' follow' us, be they good or evil ; and our letters are some of 
our works. — It hath often comforted me under reproaches, 
to think that my Saviour ' searcheth the reins and hearts/ 
and that my ' works' will take their colour at ' that day' not 
from the construction men put upon them, but from the real 
intents of my heart, which are all ' naked and opened unto 
him' ' who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire.' To him 
may we be continually referring all we think, speak, and do, 
since all will surely be called over again. ' The Lord grant 
unto' you, that you ' may find mercy of the Lord in that day/ 
This has been, and shall be, the earnest prayer of, dear sir, 
your cordial friend, and humble servant, 

J. W. 

THANKS AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 

Monday night, December 31, 1753. A bountiful and 
indulgent Providence hath just brought me to the close of 
this year. Oh ! what a year of mercies hath this been to 
me. What enjoyments am I blessed with, both of a tempos 

E E 4 



424 THE DUTIES OF A HUSBAND. 1754. 

ral and spiritual nature ! Health of body, peace of mind, 
flowing prosperity, a most agreeable, dutiful, loving wife ; a 
suitable partner in trade, with whom I have gone on hitherto 
in perfect harmony ; many other agreeable relations and 
friends ; plenty of gospel ordinances, both public and private ; 
hope in God, in his word, his promises and covenant ; hope 
of the glory of God, and sometimes the light of his counte- 
nance shining in upon my soul. These, are some of the mer- 
cies I have to reflect upon, and the enjoyments I have been 
favoured with in the last year. These, have not been com- 
mon to all, nor, indeed, to all the dear children of God, 
many of whom have been sick and weak, or poor and indi- 
gent, or been sorely perplexed in their affairs and worldly 
circumstances, and many who have walked closely with God, 
have nevertheless l walked in darkness, and seen no light' of 
God's countenance. Oh ! may I abound in thankfulness and 
thanksgiving ; and always lie humble at the feet of the Lord 
Jesus. 

THE DUTIES OF A HUSBAND. 
To Mr. Henry Dozvler.* 

Kidderminster, January 17, 1754. 

DEAR SIE, 

Since it hath pleased an all-wise God, who guides with an 
unerring hand all the mighty wheels of nature, providence, 
and grace, to bring you into a near affinity to me ; as I have 
often congratulated myself on that account, and have often 
offered up my most ardent supplications for you and your 
spouse, that you may be indeed mutually ' helps meet/ and 
always dear to each other, and that all the blessings of the 
everlasting covenant, in constant streams, may flow down 
upon you both ; so now, I congratulate you, sir, upon this 
happy union, which is, I doubt not, a union not only of per- 
sons but of hearts. Since you have enjoyed great advantages, 

*See note, p. 379. 



jEt.6%. THE DUTIES OE A HUSBAND. 425 

particularly under the ministry of the late worthy Mr. Free- 
land, as well as of your present pastor, it may seem the less 
necessary for me to offer any thing byway of advice. Never- 
theless, as the duties of this new relation you have so lately 
entered into are many of them of a very tender and delicate 
nature, and seldom touched upon, much less fully handled in 
the pulpit ; as God hath so twisted our duty and happiness 
together, that the latter is inseparable from the former ; and, 
as by more than thirty years cohabitation with my former and 
my present wife, you may suppose I have gained some expe- 
rience, over and above all the knowledge I have acquired by 
reading or hearing, you will perhaps be pleased, at least take 
it in good part, if I freely offer a few hints. 

You will certainly find, sir, that all your conjugal happi- 
ness is bound up in love ; that there is a possibility of burst- 
ing the bands of the most endeared conjugal love, at least 
for a time ; that there is a possibility, also, of preserving these 
bands inviolate ; and, therefore, means must be used to pre- 
serve them. All our happiness, both for time and eternity, 
consists in love, and is inseparable from it. Love to God 
in perfection, together with the full communications of his 
love, is the heaven of heaven : and, the more our hearts are 
going out in love to God and Christ in meditation, prayer 
and praise, whilst here ; and the more too, we are favoured 
with the tokens of his peculiar love, the more we enjoy of 
heaven upon earth. And, as to outward enjoyments, what 
happiness can we derive from meat or drink, that we do not 
'relish ? or, from employments, diversions, or company, that 
we do not love ? It is not, I think, so much my wife's love 
to me, as mine to her, that tends to my conjugal happiness ; 
at the same time I must allow, that there is a necessity of 
both to complete my happiness. No doubt, if her love to 
me should fail, mine to her would also languish : but cer- 
tainly, it is my love to her that I feel, though a sense of hers 



42$ THE DUTIES OF A HUSBAND. 1754* 

to me enhances my relish of it ; and the way to perpetuate 
my relish, is, never to let my love to her cool, nor to enter- 
tain an unkind thought of her. It is possible this may be 
your case, at least for a time ; nay, give me leave to say, there 
is danger of it. It hath been the case in many good families, 
and may in yours. The more you are apprised of the dan- 
ger, sir, and the more you dread it, you will be the more 
upon your guard against it. You have a will of your own, 
and so hath your wife. These may not always be the same 
in all things. What will you do, sir, when such a case hap- 
pens? I assure you, I would have you always keep your 
place. The husband is ' head' of the wife, and it is her duty 
to yield : but, what if she will not ; or, what if she cannot 
immediately do it? must I fly in a passion, and violently 
bear down all before me, because I am the stronger of the 
two ? is that the way to cherish love ? As God hath ap- 
pointed me to i rule my house/ so he expects me to rule it 
4 with meekness of wisdom/ and to behave as one that is wor- 
thy to rule. Love is founded on esteem : but, by flying in 
a passion, I shew my weakness, which will neither raise me in 
my wife's esteem, nor tend to preserve her ldve to me inviolate. 
Yet, I persuade myself, there is a possibility of preserving 
conjugal love inviolate. It hath been preserved by many 
husbands and wives, who have never suffered any thing to 
interrupt it. They are generally small matters about which 
married people differ ; therefore, a moderate degree of thought- 
fulness might easily prevent their differences. There is so 
much pleasure, sweetness and serenity of mind attending the 
constant exercise of love ; and, so much pain, bitterness and 
disquietude attending strife and discord betwixt such near re- 
lations, that the consideration thereof cannot fail to dispose 
prudent persons, and more especially such as fear God, to 
the exercise of much self-denial, patience, and forbearance , 
yea, to much watchfulness and prayer, in order to secure the, 



JEt. 62. THE DUTIES OF A WIFE. 427 

former, and avoid the latter. These, and such as these, 
I take to be the principal means of cherishing love, and 
without which, love can scarcely be maintained in a flourish- 
ing state. To which, give me leave, sir, to add a few more 
hints 

I would advise, that you be always as cautious of saying 
or doing any thing to displease your wife, as you were before 
marriage. Especially, if you see her ruffled by the ill beha- 
viour of servants, which, I am afraid, will sometimes happen; 
or, if by anv other accident; — then, is the time to be more than 
ordinarily upon your guard, that you say not any thing which 
would add to her vexation. So likewise, if your own mind 
be at any time ruffled by the carelessness or frowardness of 
servants, be more than ordinarily careful that your wife may 
feel no share of your resentment. Even then, let a sight of 
her dispose you to meekness and love. Indeed, the more 
you frame yourself to be habitually mild and sweet to all, the 
less liable you will be to have your temper ruffled by sudden 
incidents. Above all, keep up the worship of God in your 
family, and in your closet. Let nothing interrupt your daily 
course of devotion. To that end, make it a rule never to 
stay late from home, especially if your wife be not with you. 
Let her company be always dearer to you than any other 
company. I doubt not, you will call some praying friends 
together, as soon as you conveniently can, after you are set- 
tled in your own house, solemnly to recommend you both to 
the Divine blessing. If you will give me timely notice, I 
shall endeavour to i throw my mite into the treasury/ which 
may on that occasion be laid up for you in heaven. That 
you may * seek' and find ' the kingdom of God, and the 
righteousness thereof/ and that 'all other things may be 
added unto you/ are the cordial wishes of dear, sir, 
your, &c. 

J.W. 



428 



THE DUTIES OF A WIFE, 



1764. 



THE DUTIES OF A WIFE. 
To Mrs, Dowler. 

Kidderminster, January 18, 1754. 

DEAR COUSIN, 

' The Lord hath done great things for you, whereof you 
are glad.* I heartily congratulate you ; for indeed, I am 
glad also. Perhaps you and I, and mine, are now inheriting 
the prayers of your good grandfather Williams : and with- 
out all peradventure, you are c inheriting the promises.' ' Ex- 
ceeding great and precious are the promises' made to ' the 
seed of the righteous' (such, I am persuaded, your parents 
were) ; and, particularly, the promise made to those who ' seek 
first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof.' 
This promise, I trust, is yours, and abundantly fulfilled in 
you. ' The judgments of God are a great deep :' how lit- 
tle did you, or any of your friends, understand his awful dis- 
pensation in removing the Rev. J. Freeland ! Now you un- 
derstand a little more of it. How graciously hath he filled 
your e mouth with laughter, and your tongue with singing !' 
He hath x turned your mourning into joy/ he hath ' com- 
forted you, and made you rejoice from your sorrow !' ' Be 
glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous, and shout for 
joy, all ye that are upright in heart.' But, while you consider 
the psalmist's exhortation as belonging to you, let me cau- 
tion you to rejoice only in the Lord. My dear cousin, you 
are now as ? a city' that is l set on a hill.' Many eyes are 
upon you, and be sure of this, many will ( watch for your 
halting.' Expect envy to e shoot her arrows, even bitter 
words,' and every little mistake in your conduct to be mag- 
nified into a crime, and some of your most innocent expres- 
sions to be perverted into, or interpreted to mean, what is 
most offensive. It will be your wisdom, therefore, not to 
place too much of your happiness in the commendation of 
fellow mortals ; then, will you be the less sensible of their 
reproaches. They are memorable lines in Addison's Cato— » 



JEt. G L 2. THE DUTTES OF A WIFE. 429 

* 'Tis not in mortals to command success : 
" But we'll do more, Sempronius, we'll deserve it." 
Think it enough to have deserved commendation, though 
you go without it. Solomon says — ' A good man shall be 
satisfied from himself.' So shall a good woman. Draw 
your happiness from a conscious sense of the Divine appro- 
bation. Labour to l commend yourself to every man's con- 
science in the sight of God ;' but, if that cannot be done, 
rest satisfied, that God will, in his own time, ' bring forth 
your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the 
noon-day.' By all means always keep on good terms with 
your husband. i Submit yourself to him, as unto the Lord.' 
It is the duty of every wife : it is doubly yours. It had 
been your jduty, had your fortune been ten times superior to 
his. You are now bound to it by the additional ties of gra- 
titude. Never dispute any point with him, nor go beyond a 
mild and gentle persuasion. It is no less your interest than 
duty to please him. It is the only way to secure his love, 
and the surest way to have your own will. Whilst he sees 
you make it your study to please him, he never will think 
he can do too much to please you. Please him, therefore, 
in reason, and out of reason. Every man hath his foibles* 
and I have mine. We are apt to run into some or other 
little indulgences, or gratifications, customs, modes and 
forms, which are not always so pleasing to our wives, as to 
ourselves. No doubt, you will find Mr. Dowler possessed 
of some of these, and tenacious of them. In such a case, 
be sure never to thwart him. If any thing should appear 
imprudent in his conduct, you will think of some gentle 
method to give him a view of it : but in whatever is per- 
fectly innocent, never give him the least uneasiness, nor so 
much as wish he would refrain from it. I wish I could 
persuade you to pray with him sometimes, in your turn, as 
well as he with you. I know nothing you can do, which 
hath a more direct tendency to cherish and maintain con- 



430 THE HISTORY OF POOR DANIEL. 1754} 

jugal love. Some other hints I might have added, but you 
need them not. What I have said, I must entreat you to 
believe, proceeds not from any suspicion that you will be- 
nave otherwise; but, from the abundant love of, dear cousin, 
your truly affectionate uncle, &c. J. W. 

THE HISTORY OF POOR DANIEL : &C. 
To the Rev. T. Randall. 

Kidderminster, Feb. 25, 1754. 

REV. FRIEND, 

I communicated your scheme at large to your Rev. bro- 
ther, and my very worthy friend, Mr. Darracott, who shewed 
it to my brother, R. Pearsall ; and, last week, I had a letter 
from the former, in which are these words — "I read your last 
letter to your worthy brother, who approves of Mr. Ran- 
dall's scheme, and thinks it would be well for him to print 
something upon the subject. I do not know whether w& 
shall not educate Daniel on the plan. The only difficulty 
is his numerous, poor family, and decrepit wife." 

Before I proceed, let me give you a brief history of thir 
Daniel, whose surname I do not at present recollect. He 
is a poor man, who works at the anvil, but in what branch 
of the iron-work I know not, about one mile beyond Wel- 
lington. Twelve or fourteen years ago, he w 7 as an active 
young fellow, and one of John Bunyan's captain sinners, 
being a ringleader at bull-baitings, bear-baitings, and all 
manner of riotous practices. He feared not God, nor re- 
garded man ; and though his family was then but small, he 
half-starved them by his extravagances. His constant prac- 
tice on the Lord's-day was to lie a-bed all the morning ; 
and after dinner, according as the season and the weather 
might be, either to go and lie upon the bed, or under some 
hedge ; but went to no church whatever. One Lord's-day, 
in summer, perhaps ten years ago, having filled his belly, 
he laid himself down on a bank in his own garden : but his 



JET* 62. THE HISTORY OF *OOR DANIEL, 451 

couch being somewhat uneasy to him, he turned himself on 
his back to the other side; in doing which, taking in, though 
undesignedly, a glance of the bright canopy of the sky, a 
thought, sudden as a flash of lightning, and doubtless as 
strong, darted into his mind and conscience — that God from 
above saw him, and saw all the wickedness of his heart and 
practice. This, made him restless, so that by and by he 
turned himself back again, and took another glance, which 
wounded him afresh, sharpened his reflections, and made him 
more restless. Fain he would have smothered his convictions, 
but could not ; neither could he rest, remain, nor lie still. 
Up he got, stung with horror and remorse, and knew not for 
a time how to dispose of himself. At that very moment, he 
heard the bell toll to church ; and, in hopes to get a little 
present ease, determined to go thither. As he came out of 
the garden, he called to Ins wife — " Wife, I am going to 
church.' 1 " Ay," she replied, " what go to church for?" He 
made no reply, but went to church. There he was very 
uneasy, and found no relief. All that week, he was like 
poor Christian, in the beginning of the Pilgrim's Progress, 
particularly when he was under mount Sinai, and his burden 
at the heaviest. He had heard of Mr. Darracott, the pres- 
byterian parson, and of some extraordinary effects of his 
ministry upon the lives of some who had been almost as 
bad as himself. He, therefore, came to a resolution, next 
Sabbath, to go and hear him ; and this gave him a little 
mitigation of his pain. When meeting-time came, he was 
ready; but, impudent as he had been in sinning, was ashamed 
to be seen going into a meeting-house. At last, after 
many a struggle, he mixed himself with a knot of poor men, 
who stood talking together before the house, and slipped in 
with them. There it pleased God to inflame the wound, 
and then apply the balm of Gilead. He attended Mr. 
Darracott from that time, and his profiting appeared to all. 
The first time I saw him was hi the year 1746, when his 




432 THE HISTORY 0£ POOR DANIEL. 1754. 

pastor, knowing beforehand of my coming, had invited him, 
and three or four more lively Christians, to spend an even- 
ing with me, We spent some hours in singing and prayer, 
Daniel being appointed to conclude the service, which he 
did with all the marks of undissembled piety, distinguishing 
humility, and indeed, an uncommon fluency, as well as fer- 
vency, so that I was more taken with him than with any 
other. As much had been forgiven him, so he loved much ; # 
and, after having continued constant in prayer many years, 
and that not only in his own family and closet, but upon 
every other occasion ; — as, if any neighbour or friend 
were sick, or under lively impressions or awakenings, or the 
like ; at last he found himself strongly inclined to endeavour 
to do good to the souls of such, by giving them a word of 
exhortation in private houses. At this, many were offended, 
at the same time that numbers were pleased and edified. 
Mr. Darracott, at first, knowing his sincerity and good 
abilities, did not discourage him ; but, after a while, fearing 
what consequences might ensue, wrote to me, scarcely a 
twelvemonth ago : imagining that a word from me would 
have considerable weight with him, he desired me to write 
to Daniel, and to discourage his proceeding ; and, to insti- 
gate me the more thereto, inclosed me a letter from my bro- 
ther Pearsall, in which he had strenuously discouraged the 
thing. After looking up to God, I set pen to paper, but 
found I could not absolutely discourage him. All I could 
do was, to lay down premises, or conditions, of which he 
himself was to be sole judge, and advise him, if he were 
conscious of such and such, then to go on in God's name, 
and fear no discouragement or opposition ; but, if otherwise, 
then to desist. This, I inclosed to my friend Darracott, 
unsealed, that he might either deliver or suppress it, accord- 
ing as he approved or disapproved- He delivered it ; and 






*" Luke vii. 47. 



Alt. 62. the 'effectual prayer' of faith. 433 

it strengthened Daniel's hands ; and from time to time, Mr. 
Darracott has written to me, that Daniel goes on well* 
He owns to me, in his last of the 13th inst. that he is now 
a great blessing, and he hopes will be greater. I have lost 
or mislaid a letter Daniel sent me, in answer to mine, which 
pleased me much, and was highly satisfactory to me. As 
far as I remember, it was to this effect ; — that whilst he was 
working hard at his trade, important texts of Scripture, 
were, as he imagined, clearly explained to him, and his 
thoughts were led with the greatest ease into their several 
connections and divisions, together with the several infer- 
ences and conclusions deducible from them ; so that he 
could not forbear asking himself — Whence and why is this ? 
JSor, could he forbear thinking it might be profitable to 
others, to communicate to them such trains of reasoning and 
discourse as did frequently thus occur to him : Thus he was 
at first inclined to give a word of exhortation, but in a pri- 
vate way only ; and he now seems averse to go out farther 
than he is at present engaged. So much for honest Daniel. 
We had formerly, before my existing, but after Mr. Bax- 
ter was ejected by the act of uniformity, one Mr. Hieron 
for our vicar, a jolly, facetious man, but sound in the faith. 
He was going to church one Lord's-day morning, when it 
was extremely cold, stormy weather, and was overtaken by 
one of his neighbours, who shivering, said to him — " Its very 
cold, Sir." " Oy," replied the parson, full-mouthed— 
" God's as good as his word still." The other gazed on 
him, not apprehending his drift, or what he referred to, and 
asked him what he meant ? " Mean !" replied he, " why, 
He promised, above three thousand years ago, and still he 
makes his word good, that / while the earth remaineth, seed- 
time and harvest, and cold and heat/ ' shall not cease*." So 
say I. God is a prayer-hearing God still. Within these 
fourteen mondis, we have been favoured here with numer- 

F F 



434 SUCCESSFUL PIOUS EXERTIONS. 1754, 

ous instances thereof, two of which are very recent. Mrs. 
Fawcetfs life (a dear, valuable woman) had been given us 
more than once, though we prayed and hoped against hope, 
for the physician had given up all hope. About a fortnight 
ago, she was seized with a putrid fever, and at the same 
time pleuritic. Her case was judged desperate. Mr. Faw- 
cett called together a number of us, and we spent several 
hours in earnest intercession, yet with all submission. For 
rny own part, I had uncommon enlargement, in begging 
that she might be cheered with Divine consolations, that she 
might know whom she had believed, and in the confidence 
of faith her soul might ' magnify the Lord.' This was 
Thursday evening, the 14th of January. Next morning, she 
seemed to be dying ; but revived before night. Saturday, 
she heard my voice, talking with Mr. Fawcett in the kitchen, 
and sent her nurse to ask me to come up to her. 1 went 
up and sat down by her bed-side ; but, how was my heart 
ravished to hear her tell, though in broken accents, what 
God had done for her soul ! When nature seemed ready to 
expire, and she had. cheerfully resigned her husband, her 
children, her soul, into the hands of Christ, she was filled 
i with joy unspeakable and full of glory ;' and it was to her 
the most pleasant hour she had ever known. She has been 
recovering ever since. 

I told you before, what opposition has been made to our 
rebuilding a house for God, and that several of our most 
wealthy men withdrew their shoulders from the work ; and, 
that we had, nevertheless, gathered among ourselves about 
600/. besides 100/. more we had in the bank. The top- 
stone has been laid on many weeks, and the inside work is 
vigorously carried on ; but the money being all expended, 
and a computation being made, it appeared that we should 
want 400/. more to finish it. We were loth to be trouble- 
some to other churches, and determined to call together the 
principal subscribers, all that had subscribed more than 40s* 



Mt. 62. THE SPIRIT STRIVING WITH MAN. 435 

and try how much more we could raise among ourselves ; 
but, first to seek the Lord by prayer, in whose hands are the 
hearts of all men. Accordingly, after a number of us had 
spent some hours in prayer last Monday morning, about 
twenty or more were invited to meet in the evening. Some 
of our friends were out of town, and others could not come : 
however, near twenty met; and, after Mr. Fawcett had 
opened the occasion of our meeting by a short, pertinent 
prayer, we animated each other to the work, and in less than an 
hour, more than 240/. was subscribed ; and a pleasure it was 
to see so many offer willingly. We are now going from 
house to house, and meet with no small encouragement, so 
that ' the wall' will probably ' be built/ though ' in troub- 
lous times/ I doubt not, it would have pleased you to 
hear us that morning laying our substance, as well as our- 
selves, at the Divine footstool, disclaiming all propriety ill 
them, claiming only the office and title of his stewards, and 
desiring him to tell us, how much of our substance we should 
lay out this way : I think such a spirit and temper well worth 
praying for ; and our success herein, a gracious answer to 
prayer. 

You will think me a busy man, when I have assured you, 
that I have filled up every half hour I could rescue from more 
necessary business, in writing to you, ever since the date of 
the first page ; and it is now the evening of March the 6th : 
if I do not finish it now, perhaps it may lie by a week longer. 
I have sometimes wondered to see in what a close succession 
persons have dropped in who have had business to transact 
with me, and which, in the absence of my partner, who is on 
a long journey, I could not commit to any other hand. It 
has sometimes been very burdensome to me, and the more so, 
because I really think I do not love the world, nor the things 
of the world. A sense of duty, chiefly, reconciles me to it :■ — 
< Six days shall work be done/ I consider it as a mercy to 



436 THE SPiRlT STRIVING WITH MA?C. 1754, 

have profitable business to manage ; and another, to have a 
capacity to manage it. One thing which has taken up a 
good deal of my time of late, is a dispute, or contest, betwixt 
two brothers-in-law, who are partners in trade, both of them 
members of our church, and both good men ; but not so good 
as they should be, nor their passions yet duly mortified. The 
dispute is about meum et tuum : each is certain that his claim 
is just; and yet, they clash not a little. They have fixed 
upon a kinsman of mine and myself as arbitrators in the case ; 
one of them hath been with me a good while this afternoon, 
and I wished him gone a good while before he went away. 
At last, of his own accord, he changed the subject, and then 
his conversation made me amends for my time and trouble. 
There is something in it so uncommon, that I think it worth 
relating to you, for the sake of which I have thus introduced 
it: — 

He is a jolly, well-looking man, not very acute, yet a think- 
ing, plodding man, and, by close attention to business, has 
far outdone many of sharper wit, and has gained a compe- 
tent fortune. He is near fifty, and yet, though he has sat 
under the sound of the gospel all his days, and has been Mr. 
Fawcett's fast friend ever since he came among us, and well 
pleased with his ministrations, he seems not to have felt the 
power of the Word, nor to have experienced any remarkable 
change till last year. It was in June, as he tells me, that he 
was coming from Bewdley, which is but two miles ; and, as 
he rode by himself, these questions were impressed on his 
mind with as much power as if he had heard a voice, saying 
to him — "Sinner, whither art thou going? Why wilt thou 
not come to the Saviour, who stands ready with open arms 
to receive thee r" This, impressed his mind vastly beyond 
any thing he had ever experienced before, and swallowed up 
all his thoughts, so that he cried out, in a perfect rapture — 
^ Lord, I come unto thee, and give up myself to thee with 



jEt.GZ. THE SPIRIT STRIVING WITH MAN. 437 

my whole heart." All the way home, his heart was hot within 
him, full of workings of the warmest devotion ; and when he 
was come home, he retired into his chamber, and spent two 
hours in religious exercises, praying earnestly, that this begun 
good work might not go off. Nevertheless, his fervour gra- 
dually abated, but, at times, was again renewed, particularly 
one Lord's-day, whilst the Lord's Supper was administered ; 
he, not then being a communicant, was reading Doolittle On 
the Lord's Supper, at home, when ' the love of God' was ' shed 
abroad' in his heart, and he felt its drawing power to such a 
degree, that he thought none of those who were at the Lord's 
table could enjoy more sensible communion with God than 
he was favoured with. It was no less remarkable, that he 
had the teachings of the Spirit one whole night, which held 
his eyes waking, and brought to his mind many Scriptures he 
had been little conversant with. A remarkable change ap- 
pears in the man, and he hath since been taken into the com- 
munion of our church with general satisfaction. 

But now, I must conclude. May you and I frequently ex- 
perience such gales of grace : and may they who sit under your 
ministry, both younger and elder, experience the like ; then, 
will they be your ' joy and crown of rejoicing/ A fatal spirit 
of slumber seems to possess the body of Dissenters and their 
ministers too generally, though, blessed be God, there are 
exceptions. My kinsman writes me from Kendal, that he 
heard a minister, last Lord's-day, read his prayer in the pul- 
pit. The little remnant should cry mightily after a departing 
God, and not let him go. Alas i that the wise virgins should 
slumber, as well as the foolish. Your letters are always pro- 
fitable, and therefore, acceptable to, dear sir, yours in the 
best bonds, 

J.W, 

F F 3 



4S$ "KIS f Ft'LL ASSURANCE OF FAITH.' 1754. 

HIS 'FULL assurance of faith.' 
To Mr. Joseph Green. 

Kidderminster, March 2, 1754. 

DEAR SIR, 

You are careful about our secular interest ; I thank you for 
it. But still, my friend, still it runs in my mind, and there 
let it run, and that too every day of my life, that — ' One thing 
is needful/ All other things here below are trifles in compa- 
rison therewith ; and He that searcheth my heart knows they 
are so in my estimation and affections. 

Let me tell you, that last night, agreeably to the apostle's 
direction — c Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves toge- 
ther, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another/ I 
met an assembly of forty or fifty Christians, and after prayer, 
read to them an excellent sermon, preached by my brother 
Pearsall nearly twenty-seven years ago, # from these words — 
' My Beloved is mine.' I say again, it was an excellent 
sermon. It warmed my heart, and I believe many others. 
I have not yet lost the good savour of it. I can say, in the 
confidence of faith, through the riches of divine grace — 
Christ Jesus is ' my Beloved.' I love him more than I love 
my life, or any thing else. He 'is mine ;' ' my Lord and my 
God,' my Saviour, my Friend, my All-in-all : ' And I am 
his ;' his devoted servant and subject. I know, that at the 
last great day he will set me at his right hand, and reckon me 
among his brethren ! I would not for the world be without 
this joyful assurance. It is more to me, and does more for 
me than a thousand worlds could, were I the sovereign of 
them all. 

Now, my friend, I would ask you — Is Christ yours ? Is 
he your Beloved? — Can you part with all for him, rather 
than be separated from him ? If not, he is none of yours ; 

* Seepage 61. 



JEt.Gl. LONGING DESIRES AFTER GOD. 439 

but answer it to your own conscience. ' My heart's desire 
and prayer to God for' you ' is, that' you ' might be saved ;' 
and that in the mean time you may be happy on earth in 
the love of God : this, I can truly say, is the worst harm 
wished you by, dear sir, yours, 8cc. 

J. w. 

LONGING DESIRES AFTER GOD. 

Saturday night, March 9, 1 754. Welcome the approach- 
ing Sabbath ! Come, O come, thou Lord of the Sabbath, 
and take possession of a heart, which gladly empties itself of 
every care, of every vanity, to make room for such a glorious 
guest, for such a gracious Lord ! What a day of cares and 
cumber hath this been ! What days and weeks of hurry and 
business have 1 had ! Thou knowest, Lord, this is not what 
my soul chooses. Thou knowest I do not love the world, 
nor the things of the world ; but, thou hast made it my duty 
for a season to be conversant in them, and busied ; and I 
must submit. Other employment suits my inclination bet- 
ter; and is far more delightful, more profitable. This soul 
of mine was never made for earth and earthly things ; she can 
neither feed upon its dainties, nor wear its thick clay. I find 
u nothing" here below " that suits my large desires," nothing 
that can fill them. Lord, nothing can do this but a sense of 
thy love. It is not enough that thou lovest me, but I must 
know it, and be able to say with Paul, that — ' Jesus Christ 
loved me, and gave himself for me.' Thou knowest, Lord, 
how I longed to have done with the world, before I could 
empty my hands of it this evening, that so I might come to 
thee. ' My soul thirsted for thee,' and was in pain. ' My 
heart panted after thee, as the hart panteth after the water- 
brooks.' I would not have any company so dear to me as 
thine, or any conversation so delightful to me as communion 
with thy blessed self. One smile of thine is better to me 
than thousands of gold and silver, ten thousand times dearer 

V F 4 



440 LONGING DESIRES AFTER GOD. 1754, 

to me than the smiles of any mortal, even of the wife of my 
bosom : she is not my God, is not my soul's felicity : she hath 
my heart, indeed, but only in subordination to thee. I trust 
I can say— 

" Jesus hath all my pow'rs possest, 
" My hopes, my fears, my joys ; 

" He, the dear Sov'reign of my breast, 
" Shall still command my voice." 

I desire to be wholly thine, and to look upon all I have as 
thine. I am not a proprietor, and I desire to be no proprie- 
tor of any thing below the sun, no, not so much as of myself. 
f I am not my own, for 1 am bought with a price.' Oh ! 
what a price ! 

" Though curious to compute, 
" Archangels fail'd to cast the mighty sum, 
" It's value, vast, ungrasp'd by finite minds, - 
" For ever hides and glows in the Supreme." 

Thou hast given me riches, but they are not mine : Thou 
hast entrusted me with much, but to thee I am accountable 
for all. I have consecrated, and am daily consecrating, my 
all to thee, whose it is. e Though riches increase/ let 
me l not set my heart upon them,' and I trust, through grace 
1 do not. Let me ' be rich in good works/ Let me never 
withhold from thee whatever thou requirest of me. Let me 
believe thy word, and rely upon thy faithfulness. ' Of thine 
own,' let me be always < ready to give unto thee, not grudg- 
ingly,' but cheerfully; ' for thou lovest a cheerful giver.' And, 
whatever I give to thy church, or thy poor, let me give to 
thee, let me i do it as unto the Lord.' Thou hast a right to 
take away the riches thou hast entrusted me with ; and, by a 
turn of thy hand thou canst do it. How easily canst thou 
turn my flowing prosperity into deep adversity ! and, how 
know J, whether thou wilt not do it. O my soul, how could 
I bear such a trial as this ? What if the Lord should, for the 



JFA. GC. anxiety for departed infants. 441 

trial of my faith, and to get himself glory, see meet to reduc 6 
me to poverty, to disgrace, to want, or shut me up in a pri- 
son ! Could I trace his hand therein, and justify him in all ? 
Could I think such < ways of the Lord to be mercy and truth' 
to me ? Could I 'humble myself under his mighty hand:* 
Could I c bless the name of the Lord,' when < he takes away/ 
as well as when he ' gave ?' Could I enjoy adversity, and 
myself, therein, because ' it is the Lord/ and because his will 
is done ? Could " I tread the world beneath my feet," and 
1 take joyfully the loss of all things, knowing that 1 have in 
heaven a better and more enduring substance ?' Could I 
think it enough to be 'rich towards God/ and set myself the 
more to seek his presence, to cultivate his favour, to live a 
life of devout meditation and communion with God/ l re- 
joicing in Christ Jesus/ and ' rejoicing in hope of the glory 
of God ?' No. 1 cannot do any of these things; yet, 'I 
can do' them all ' through Christ strengthening me/ Let me 
but hear him say — ' As thy day is, so shall thy strength be ;' 
let him but ' shed abroad his love in my heart by the Holy 
Ghost,' and by his witness, seal my adoption; then, in what- 
ever slate, f my soul shall magnify the Lord, and my spirit 
shall rejoice in God my Saviour :' but, ' without him I can 
do nothing,' 

PARENTAL ANXIETY FOR DEPARTED INFANTS. 

March 18, 1754. I took a walk in the twilight of this 
evening in the church-yard, to converse with the dead. As 
I was walking and musing, I observed a poor man, who for- 
merly had been one of my servants, with his eyes fixed upon 
four short graves, all in a row, near to my walk. When I 
came up to him, he desired to ask me a question. His ques- 
tion was this — Whether I thought the children of wicked pa- 
rents, dying in their infancy, suffered for the wickedness of 
their parents ? In answer to which, I only told him, that the 
•Scripture says—' The unbelieving husband is sanctified by 



44 C Z ANXIETY FOR DEPARTED INFANTS. 1754. 

the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the hus- 
band ; else were your children unclean, but now are they 
holy:' from whence it appears, that the piety of parents 
is of advantage to their children. Immediately I pursued 
my walk: but, when I came back to the place, he stop- 
ped me again, and told me — he had four children buried 
there, and with an air of deep concern repeated the former 
question, applying it to himself and his children, owning, 
that he looked upon himself as a very wicked man, and was 
distressed with fears lest they should fare the worse for his 
wickedness. I told him, that we know very little of the state 
of infants dying in infancy, since the Scripture is almost 
silent on that head ; and, asked him— Why he was not rather 
concerned about the salvation of his own soul, since the 
Scripture expressly says—* As I live, saith the Lord God, I 
have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the 
wicked turn from his way and live ; turn ye, turn ye from 
your evil ways ; for why will ye die ?'' e Let the wicked for- 
sake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts : and let 
him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, 
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.' I plied him 
with many more, texts of the same import, and again pursued 
my walk. He then left the place ; and, when in my third 
walk I had passed briskly by him, I heard him running has- 
tily after me : I therefore stopped, whilst he told me how 
often he had come up to look at the graves of his children, 
and the distressing fears he had for them, acknowledging 
freely, that he had been much addicted to drunkenness, and 
too often had been guilty of swearing ; but, except these, he 
had not been chargeable with any gross immorality. I then 
laboured to convince him, how poor a pretence it was — that 
he had not wronged any one, when he had withheld from 
God his Maker what was his due in numberless instances^ 
some of which I enumerated to him, and gave him the best 
advice I could, and then again was pursuing my walk. At 



JFA.6Q. the faithful christian minister. 443 
parting he said, he was ashamed to presume to walk along 
with me, and indeed I was not very willing to be interrupted, 
and so I walked alone to the farther end of the church-yard; 
but had many relenting thoughts towards the poor man. 
However, I passed by him again ; and again he ran hastily 
after me, I then stopped, and talked to him a while \ and I 
encouraged him to walk with me as it was too cold to stand 
still. Several times he wept, or seemed to weep. We 
walked and talked together, till it began to be dark. He ac- 
companied me to my own door, and then seemed loth to 
part with me ; so I took him in, and led him up to my cham- 
ber, where I made him sit down, and asked him many close 
questions, to which he replied in a penitential strain. I en- 
couraged, cautioned, warned, instructed, and exhorted him, 
and, at his request, prayed with him, inviting him to come to 
me again. He went away very thankful, and seemingly pe- 
nitent : yet, I cannot but fear he will return to his drunken 
companions,which he owns have hitherto extinguished many- 
good impressions and inclinations. And yet, who knows ? 
1 have the satisfaction, however, of having used, and of pur- 
posing farther to use, my poor, feeble endeavours to recover 
and ' save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins/ 
Help me, help me, O my God. 

THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN MINISTER. 

To the Rev. R. Darracott. 

Kidderminster, March 18, 1754. 
DEAR sir, 
In reading yours, I cannot but observe, what a pleasure 
;t is to feel symptoms of approaching death, and yet also, a 
glimpse of glory. Who would not have endured your faint- 
ing sweats, for the sake of having, at the same time, the 
bosom of Jesus to lean upon, and ' the love of God to be 
shed abroad in our heart V I congratulate you, my dear 
friend, upon such a rich and renewed experience of the 



444 THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN MINISTER. 1754. 

-certainty of your title to mansions in the skies, and such a? 
pledge of the presence of your Shepherd with you, when 
you shall indeed pass ' through the valley of the shadow of 
death/ I congratulate you upon the comfortable prospect 
your spiritual spouse, a l church of the living God/ affords 
you. I consider under-shepherds as bridegrooms to their 
particular churches. I, therefore, think such should be very 
solicitous to discharge well the extensive duties of a good 
Isusband and parent. You do right in making personal ad- 
dresses to each of your flock, and praying with each. I 
wonder not that you have always found such work attended 
with great pleasure, which it could hardly be, without some 
success. I wonder how any spiritual father can content 
Mmself in the neglect of it, if he have ability and opportu- 
nity. How can he be a good husband, who does not love 
nxs spouse ? and how can he love her, if he do not love her 
children? and how does he sufficiently show his love to 
those children, with whom he never converses, or into whose 
state he never inquires ? What an awful view does this 
give of the work of Christ's ministers ! 

I heard a most excellent sermon at ~ — , from the 

Hev. , and now I will tell you something I heard 

from, him in conversation. The first time he was to preach 
§s one of the prebends, he was well apprised that among 
Ms hearers would be the bishop and several doctors. He 
found carnal-self began to plead for moderation, at the 
same time that the new-man earnestly pleaded for zeal. The 
former cried — " What occasion have you to run the risk of 
displeasing these great men, and making them your enemies ? 
You may preach so, as not to contradict their tenets, nor 
the Gospel , and, why should you not become ' all things 
to all men ?' Give them a moral discourse, and it will suf- 
fice: but, if you advance the peculiar doctrines of the 
Gospel, you will make yourself the object of their displea- 
sure, perhaps of their contempt and ridicule. You know 



&i. &1. THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN MINISTER. 445 

wot what the consequence may be." The latter pleaded 
thus : — " Away with these slavish fears of man, v One 
is your master, even Christ/ If you ' yet please men/ 
how are you ' the servant of Christ ?' Will you dare to be 
ashamed of the gospel of Christ? Will not he then be 
ashamed of you, when his favour and applause will be more 
to you than all the world ? Do not consult with flesh and 
blood. Preach now, as if you were sure this will be the 
last sermon you ever shall preach. How do you know but 
some one precious soul, at least, may be avakened to cry 
out — i What must I do to be saved?' i Wo is unto you, if 
you preach not the gospel of Christ'." To this, carnal- 
self again replied, and the new-man rejoined. The dispute 
lasted many days, and each of the contending parties pro- 
vided itself with a sermon, nor was he determined, when 
going to preach, which of them had the ascendency. He 
took both sermons with him into the pulpit ; and there, was 
earnest with God to direct him. He hoped that his prayer 
was heard and answered, because he felt an undaunted cou- 
rage and resolution ; so that after his public prayer he was 
enabled to ' speak boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus.' 
When he was drawing near the conclusion, a woman not far 
from the pulpit cried out — " I cannot bear it. I cannot 
bear it." He was at a loss, at present, what could be the 
meaning of such a cry ; for, he was not thundering out the 
terrors of the law, but blowing the silver trumpet of the 
Gospel, and displaying the blessedness of those who c win 
Christ, and' are ' found in him/ He afterward understood, 
that the woman had been ' labouring and heavy laden/ and 
had then found ' rest' in Christ, but that the overflowing of 
her joy in the Lord had extorted from her that outcry. On 
the whole, he was resolved to persevere in such a strain of 
preaching. He also added, that having, in that instance, 
obtained the victory over the slavish fear of man, the same 
Divine grace enabled him to maintain it ever since. How 



446 DOUBTFUL WAYS COMMITTED- TO GOD. 17o4, 

little reason have they who c trust in the Lord' to * be afraid 
of a man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be 
made as grass !' I am yours, J. W. 

DOUBTFUL WAYS COMMITTED TO GOD. 

Lord's-day morning, March 24, 17-54. Hail, sacred 
morning! Oh! that my life were one eternal Sabbath. I 
trust it will be so ere long : but what I am to do, and what 
I am to bear, in the mean time, God only knows : and, well 
he knows ; for nothing shall befal me, but what is of his 
special ordering and appointing. This thought satisfies me 
as to all future events and contingencies. ' A sparrow falls 
not to the ground without him. 5 ' He numbers the hairs of 
my head/ How securely may I trust myself in his hands, 
whilst I keep in his way ! How solicitous should I be to 
keep in his way, and not like Jonah, desert the way pre- 
scribed for me ! Shall I keep in his way in the journey I 
have before me ? Have I his call to undertake it ? I trust 
I have. He knows what temptations I shall be exposed to, 
and how to deliver me out of them. May his glory be 
uppermost in my heart, my aims, and my endeavours all 
the way. Lord, give me wisdom, give me courage, give me 
from time to time what I shall speak. Let me speak for 
thee. Whilst I have a tongue to use, let me use it for thee. 
By my speech, by my whole conduct, let me not disparage, 
but recommend thy good ways. Let my temper be cheerful, 
but not light and vain ; grave, but not morose or churlish. 
What if I should [in the coach] be confined to company, 
among whom may be a profane swearer, or one of a filthy 
conversation, and impudent therein ? How should I treat 
such a one? What if any be a scoffer at religion and reli- 
gious persons ? The Lord give me wisdom, ' meekness of 
wisdom,' that I may not exasperate such, but win them by 
my conversation. Sinful anger is too apt to rise in such 
cases ; may it be totally suppressed ? Pious indignation out 



JEt.GZ. ADVANTAGES OF PREACHING EXTEMPORE. 447 

of a respect to the glory of God, is a better temper, and 
even that is too apt to degenerate into sinful anger, flaming 
out from a regard to self. Let such corrupt conversation 
always excite in me a holy zeal for the glory of God, an 
abhorrence of the sin, and a religious care that I be not par- 
taker therein ; and therefore, let these be always mingled 
with tender pity for the sinner ; and, with thankfulness for 
distinguishing grace to myself. Lord, I would be where 
thou wouldst have me to be, and no where else. Let me 
i not go hence, if thy presence go not with me/ Lead thou 
the way, and I will follow where my Father leads. How 
shall I spend so many days and weeks, agreeably to myself 
and thee, where I can be so little alone ; 

a In secret silence of the mind, 

" My heav'n, and there my God, I find!" 

Watts. 

Oh ! let me not do or say any thing whereby thou mayest be 
dishonoured, and thy good ways discredited. ' Into thine hand 
I commit my spirit ;' for ' thou hast redeemed me, O Lord 
God of truth.' 

ADVANTAGES OF PREACHING EXTEMPORE, 

To the Rev. Richard Jenkins* 

Kidderminster, July 6, 1754. 

REV. AND DEAR SIR, 

I have lately been reading as under. They are extracts 
from a sermon preached before the reverend presbytery of 
Newcastle, America; Oct. 11, 1752, by the Rev. Samuel 

* More than forty years dissenting minister at Bromsgrove, where, 
about the year 1748, he succeeded the Rev. J. Freeland. He had no 
regular education, but was a sensible and studious man, of an excel- 
lent character, and so catholic " that when a minister of any note 
" preached at the other meeting, he used to take his little congregation 
" to hear him." See a note by the late Rev. Samuel Palmer to p. 191, 
vol. ii, of Orton's Letters to Dissenting Ministers 






448 ADVANTAGES OF PREACHING EXTEMPORE. 17o4» 
Davies of Hanover, in Virginia ; # who will, perhaps, call on 
us next month on his return from Scotland. 

From Isaiah, lxii. 1. ' For Zion's sake will I not hold 
my peace, 8cc/ he takes occasion to mention some measures 
which ministers should pursue for the advancement of reli- 
gion ; " Particularly," he^saith, "we should make proper pre- 
parations for our public ministrations." Under this head he 
has these remarks, among others : — •" A barren genius, dili- 
gently cultivated, will produce more useful fruits than the 
wild, spontaneous productions of a luxurious genius suf- 
fered to run waste : and the best foundation laid in youth 
will soon become a scene of desolation, unless the structure 
be carried on, and the wastes of time repaired by diligent 
study during after-life." " Success very much depends on 
the clearness and affectionate solemnity of our discourses; — 
they must be clear to enlighten the mind, and solemn and 
pathetic to affect the heart." " An undue attention to the 
little niceties of accurate composition does often enfeeble a 
discourse ; for excessive refinements and languid delicacies 
render it far less useful, and far less graceful, than the expa- 
tiating, extempore thoughts of a mind deeply impressed 
with eternal things." " Take care neither to degrade the 
majestic truths of the gospel by an indecent, slovenly dress ; 
nor, to divest them of their awful solemnity by pert theatri- 
cal levities, and beauish gauderies." " Affect not to extem- 
porize to such an excess as to utter a chaos of embryo- 
thoughts, maimed arguments and rude expressions ; or, a 
huddle of passionate reveries without matter or method : 
and do not so scrupulously adhere to any previous plan as 
to admit no extempore amplifications, or occasional excur- 
sions : for, it is attested by the experience of all who have 
made the trial, that in the fervour of public addresses a 
variety of emphatic and pertinent thoughts will occur, which 

f Afterward, President of the College, in New Jersey, 



JBt. 62. ADVANTAGES OF PREACHING EXTEMPORE. 449 

might be in vain sought for in the coolness of private 
studies." u A warm heart has always a fruitful invention, 
and will spontaneously suggest sentiments more striking to 
the populace, and even to hearers of taste, than premedi- 
tated and laboured expressions." " It deprives an auditory 
of much pleasure, to suppress the devout sallies of a tran- 
sported heart, lest there should be any deviation from the 
preconceived plan of a discourse." " When a thought 
flashes on the mind it affects us more than those which are 
familiarized by meditation ; and hence, sudden irruptions of 
ideas in the midst of a discourse not only animate the 
speaker at the moment, but diffuse a vigour and pathos 
through the remainder of his discourse : therefore, such a 
rigid confinement to notes, on ordinary occasions, as denies 
the advantageous and oratorical licence of expressing such 
ideas, is an ungrateful imposition to an heart that would in- 
dulge its ardour; a great obstruction to the fervour and 
pathos of delivery, and consequently to the success of 
preaching." " It is very doubtful whether the languid accu- 
racy and effeminate nicety of some discourses can afford so 
much pleasure even to a polite auditory, as all ranks, except 
those of a squeamish delicacy, would find in discourses less 
correct, but animated by extempore irruptions of an affec- 
tionate zeal." " We may have occasion to preach so fre- 
quently, or so unexpectedly, that we cannot make due pre- 
parations : in this case, it is a duty, with an humble depend- 
ance on the aids of Divine grace, to preach, though at the 
risk of a reputation for accuracy." " In ordinary cases, the 
assistance of the Holy Spirit does not supersede, but sup- 
pose, the exertion of our powers in proper preparations ; yet 
at times we may, without presumption, humbly pray for 
and expect it, though we have made little or no preparation; 
and we shall not be disappointed :" " And, at those times, 
if we should not conciliate to ourselves so much applause* 

G g ■ 






4dO advantages of preaching extempore. 1754- 
we may do more service to the souls of men than at other 
times by the most elaborate discourses." " Indeed, it is no 
impossible task for one to whom the great truths of the gos- 
peLare familiarized by reading, meditation, and experience, to 
deliver an extempore discourse which maybe very profitable 
to the populace, and not justly offensive to persons of su- 
perior attainments." Again — " Let us generally insist oo 
those subjects which are purely evangelical, or peculiar to 
the religion of Jesus." 

Why need I go on transcribing, when you will probably 
see the sermon. I do not grudge the pains I have been at, 
for I think the sentiments weighty and well expressed ; and 
I could not but wish every minister would practice agree- 
ably. The author certainly states his own experience when: 
he seems to appeal to that of all who have made the trial he 
alludes to : and I really think it has, in some instances, been 
mine, when I have been repeating tlie sermons of different 
ministers. Mr. Spilsbury used frequently before sermon to 
make this request— "Lord, help us rightly to conceive" : and 
I remember Dr. Watts, in his Humble Attempt, &c. earnestly 
presses on ministers not to read all they deliver — " Dare," 
says he, " sometimes to deliver a sentiment warm from the 
heart ;" or to that purpose. Dr. Doddridge told me seven- 
teen years ago, that he inculcated the rule on his pupils after 
this manner :— "There are few tradesmen of any note, but can 
talk pertinently, and in a proper style, for a length of time, 
on any branch of their business which they thoroughly under- 
stand. How much more may a minister, when he has well 
studied and digested his subject, and ranged his thoughts iu> 
der proper heads, be supposed capable of uttering many 
things with propriety of expression, while his people are he- 
fore him, which he could not think of when alone !" — Give 
nie leave, sir, to add, this is agreeable to my way of thinking 
for these forty years ; for a longer period than which, having 
a most awful sense of eternal things, I often wondered at 



&t. 62. ADVANTAGES OF PREACHING EXTEMPORE. 451 

some of our most serious Christians, and even ministers, that 

they could talk so coolly about things of everlasting weight. 

I wondered ministers did not talk more feelingly in the 
pulpit ; — 

" Preaching, as if they ne'er should preach again ; 
" And as a dying man, to dying men." 

Baxter. 

I still think that a deeper sense of the infinite weight of 
eternal things would help any minister, at the present day, 
to preach better ; and would contribute much to the fruit- 
fulness of his invention and the fluency of his tongue, when 
engaged in the solemn service : but, how shall he acquire this 
deeper sense ? Certainly, l every good gift' ' cometh down 
from the Father of lights ;' therefore, prayer must be the 
means; earnest, importunate prayer, joined with frequent, 
devotional meditation. Let a minister preach, with the 
greatest seriousness, every sermon to himself, before he 
preaches it to his people : first get his own heart warmed, 
and then he will be more likely to warm others ; — ( For out 
of the abundance of the heart the mouth spdaketh.' Here it 
may not be improper to take notice of a passage or two in 
the sermon, which is wrought into the body of what I have 
transcribed, but which 1 then passed over :— " While our 
minds are intensely engaged in the abstracted speculative 
contemplation of a subject, we are too ready to forget its 
awful reference to ourselves, and its influence on our eternal 
state; hence, study sometimes deadens us into senseless 
stoics, instead of firing our hearts with those tender passions 
which are so graceful in Christian orators." — ^The best way 
to remedy this evil, and to reap the advantage of preparation 
for the public, is to diffuse a spirit of devotion through our 
studies ; to direct them to proper objects ; and, to avoid ex- 
tremes." Somewhat to the same purpose I remember to 
have read iu a work of Mr. Baxter's, that when in his studies 

g G £ 






432. ADVANTAGES OF PREACHING EXTEMPOBE. 1754, 

he found his heart dull and out of frame, he found the best 
course was to read awhile* in some such author as Sibbs, 
Hildersham, Dodd, Perkins, Bolton, &c. and when by mix- 
ing prayer with his reading, his heart was warmed with their 
devout sentiments, he found that he could go on with re- 
newed alacrity ill his studies, and to much better purpose. 

Now, sir, what do you think I have in view by all this i 
Not to make you preach worse, but better : not more to 
your people's heads, but to their hearts ! And yet, I assure 
you, I do esteem you a faithful minister of Jesus Christ, di- 
ligent and laborious beyond most : but, ' who is sufficient 
for these things ?' Not even the apostles, of themselves ; 
and they bade as fair for it as any that ever preached ! The 
longer I live, the more I am convinced what an arduous un- 
dertaking the work of a minister is ; and by far the more so, 
because whatever he does faithfully in his office, must run 
counter to the corrupt nature of the human mind ; and like- 
wise, because he is himself ' a man subject to like' imperfec- 
tions ' as we are ; ? therefore, if there be no ' savour,' which is 
in too great a measure the case, in those who should be ' the 
salt of the earth/ 'wherewith shall it be salted?' It will 
grieve me, dear sir, if any thing I have written should grieve 
you, which I am far from intending ; but the most lively 
need quickening ; and I shall greatly rejoice if I might con- 
tribute any thing, though but at second hand, to render your 
work more easy to you, and thereby you more successful in 
your work. Surely, the hints I have borrowed, if reduced 
to practice, would not fail to save you much writing ; and if 
also, the practice of them should prove the means of animating 
as well as exercising your faith, your love, and holy zeal, you 
will undoubtedly have greater satisfaction, and probably 
greater success in your ministrations. I ask pardon for tak- 
ing so much liberty ; yet I think you will more than forgive 
mc. May a double portion of the Spirit of Elijah's God be 



j£t. 6'2. RECITAL OF HIS EXPERIENCE MADE USEFUL. 453 

poured down on you, is the ardent prayer of, dear sir, your 

faithful friend, See. 

J. W. 

A RECITAL OF HIS EXPERIENCE MADE USEFUL. 

November — , 1754. I spent Lord's-day, September 15, 
at Whitworth, under the ministry of my friend Mr. Burgess.* 
In the evening, the house he boards at was filled with peo- 
ple, who came, as usual, to hear him repeat the substance frf 
what he had delivered that day. Happening to have the 
substance of two sermons by Mr. Darracott, in my pockets 
book, on the words — i In the last day, that great day of the 
feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let 
him come unto me, and drink ;' it fell to my lot to read 
them ; after which, many stayed for the sake of religious 
conversation, several of whom were men of knowledge and 
experience, and talked pertinently of the deep things of God, 
while many persons sat as listeners. Something that was 
said gave me occasion to relate my experience of April 23, 
1721, and likewise, how I obtained a satisfying, prevailing 
hope, as to my spiritual state, in the summer of the year 
1725. Among those who were listening was, unknown to 
me, a pious young woman to whom my recital was blessed. 
1 had said that, 1 was fully persuaded fears of hypocrisy in 
the renewed soul are good evidence that such fears are ground- 
less, for a hypocrite goes on confidently, with a lie in his 
right hand, entertaining no fear about his state ; this, might 
help to comfort the mind of the young woman. However, 
I have lately had a letter from Mr. Burgess, in which, after 
thanking me for my late visit, he adds, that he thanks me in 
particular on account of that delight it afforded to his people 

* In a letter, dated May 19, 1749, Mr. Williams mentions Mr. Bur- 
gess as " a young dissenting minister, educated under Mr. Killpatrick 2 
at Bedworth, and fixed two years ago at Whitworth, near Rochdale." 

gg3 



454 PROMOTING PIETY IN A YOUNG CLERGYMAN. 1754. 

in general ; and some special relief it pleased the Lord to 
convey, by a clause in our Lord's-day evening's conversation, 
to a poor, drooping, tempted soul. " The happy receiver," 
he continues, u of the good done, is a young woman, the 
brightest in my whole flock for parts and elocution, and for 
an extraordinary gift in prayer ; eminently zealous in reprov- 
ing sin in others ; and drawing them to consideration, not 
only by a good example, but good advice. She had been 
religious from a child, and had laid up a large fund of know- 
ledge ; and yet she was tempted to conclude herself a hypo- 
crite ; yea, horrid consideration ! to question the very being of 
a God. Not indeed, always, but in the night : for, as she 
told me, in the day she saw with her eyes such glaring de- 
monstrations of a Deity, as partly forced a belief of his ex- 
istence. Now, when you were telling of your being once 
sorely tempted to suspect yourself a hypocrite, and after- 
ward resolutely took hold of that promise — ' Thou art my 
portion, O Lord,' she reasoned thus : — If such a christian as 
Mr. Williams might be so tempted ; she might, possibly, be 
a real Christian, notwithstanding her hard thoughts of herself; 
therefore, she resolved to apply the very same remedy that 
you did, and say — ' Thou art my portion, O Lord.' She 
did so, and the temptation was vanquished, and for many 
days she has enjoyed such extraordinary, Divine comfort, and 
such a clear view of God's love to her soul, as she never be- 
fore experienced, particularly in prayer ; a duty she was once 
ready to abandon. She told me, she has cause to remember 



Mr. Williams as long as she lives. 



Blessed be God ! 



PROMOTING PIETY IN A YOUNG CLERGYMAN. 

Lord's-day, December 29, 1 754. Quite unexpectedly it 
hath fallen to my lot to ride the south circuit. What a jour- 
ney of mercies hath this been ! I saw nothing but ' good- 
ness and mercy following,' and going before me, all the way. 
The Lord was pleased to engage me in a remarkable piece 
of service at Bradford, Wilts, which indeed, was the most me- 



^7.(53. PROMOTING PIETY IN A YOUNG CLERGYMAN. 455 

morable event this journey hath produced. On Monday, Nov. 
the 18th, I visited my friend, Mr.Chapman, the vicar, who 
introduced me to the company of his genteel and pious vi- 
sitors, among whom was Mr. Hart, a pious curate from War* 
minster, aud we had almost an hour's very agreeable conver- 
sation, i* Just as the company was breaking up, came in a 
young man, Mr. Brown, the vicar's curate. My friend whis-» 
pered me in the ear — " Go, speak to him." I was at first 
backward, but, at his repeated instigation, I saluted him, and 
asked with an air of solemnity and confidence — Sir, how 
does your soul prosper ? This, it pleased God to make the 
arrow of his conviction. He seemed a little disconcerted, 
and replied in a languid manner. I saw him no more that 
night. Next morning he sent for me, just as I was going to 
take horse, and told me — that our conversation the preceding 
evening had given him a great deal of concern ; that it had 
put him upon considering the state of his soul more than 
ever before, that he feared it was bad ; and therefore, desired 
my company for a few minutes. My spirits hereby were 
elevated, especially when on my blessing God, and rejoicing 
in hope this was the * beginning of a good work' in his soul, 
1 saw the tears immediately start from his eyes. I talked 
with him a good while as the Lord enabled me, and then 
said — Come, do not, let us part without prayer. Mr. Hart 
having happened to come in, and being of an excellent cha- 
racter, I would have put the office of prayer on him, but he 
declined it, and they both desired me to pray : so we kneeled 
down all three together, and the Lord ' poured out the spirit of 
grace and supplications/ I could hear the young clergyman 
sigh and sob frequently, which did not at all abate the fervour, 
or blunt the edge of my devotion. When we rose, he ap^ 
peared bathed in tears, thanked me most heartily, begged 
the continuation of my prayers, and that I would write to 
him. Mr. Hart took notice, by what a particular providence 
he had been brought thither that day, which had detained 

gg4 




456 PROMOTING PIETY IN A YOUNG CLERGYMAN. 1754. 

Mr. Brown at home, who otherwise had intended to go 
abroad-' the preceding day : and, I could not but remark how 
I had been pressed in spirit to ride seven miles in a stormy 
evening, by a feeble moonlight, to reach Bradford when I 
did. I took the first opportunity to write to this gentleman, 
as he desired, and gave him the best instructions I could, 
and particularly persuaded him to bind himself by covenant 
to be the Lord's, to write down his resolution and self-dedi- 
cation, and sign it with his hand ; and, begged of him to 
write to me at London on a given day, and freely to open 
his heart to me. Accordingly, I received from him an epis- 
tle, dated the 11th instant, which revived my soul. The ar- 
row seems to stick fast, and he had done (but not before 
that morning) as I had advised and persuaded him. It should 
seem, indeed, that nothing but the ' balm of Gilead' will heal 
the wound. It was an arrow from f. a bow drawn at a ven- 
ture,' but an unerring, all-powerful hand carried it to the 
mark: 'The arm of the Lord was revealed.' Glorious 
grace ! which could make so feeble an effort effectual to so 
glorious a purpose. To His name be all the praise. Let 
me not dare to ascribe the least part of the praise to the in- 
tention or endeavours of a worthless worm : yet, \ may, I 
must rejoice. Heaven rejoices, and so will L Hallelujah ! 
— Surely, here is satisfying evidence of the workings of the 
Spirit of adoption. What joy hath it afforded me ! and the 
more, because it seems an answer to prayer, when I called 
together some praying friends a few days before I set out on 
that journey. I remember my heart was drawn out in this 
particular request — that God would bless my conversation in 
that journey, and enable me to speak for him, and make it 
effectual to some valuable purposes. I was reading the other 

morning, an abstract of the life of the Rev. Stock, in 

Gillies' Collections, where I noted with joy this passage — 
" It is no small honour for a man to win, if it were but one 
poul. For, to win souls, is to win more .than, the whole 



JZt.63. THE SPIRITUAL MERCHANT. 457 

world is worth. What an honour is it then, to be not only a 
winner of souls, but a winner of such as prove winners !" I 
esteem this important event an instance of the greatest honour 
the Lord ever did me, or perhaps ever will, in this life : but, 
as an excellent preacher observed in my hearing, after enu- 
merating a variety of methods the Lord ordinarily useth in 
bringing home souls to himself — " Any thing will do when 
the Lord works." To his infinite power and grace alone be 
all the praise. Let me not dare to arrogate to myself the 
least share thereof: but, as at first it was the gladness of my 
heart, when I saw this gentleman's tears, so his letters since 
have contributed to fulfil my joy. This was well worth all 
the expence and fatigue of the whole journey, had I no suc- 
cess in my secular affairs : but the Lord prospered me in 
these also, far beyond my expectation, and indeed beyond 
what I have experienced in any one instance before : to his 
great name be all the praise, and at his service be all the 
fruits thereof.* 

THE SPIRITUAL MERCHANT. 

To the Rev. Samuel Walker, A. B.f 

Kidderminster, ; 1754. 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

Mr. Darracott hath kindly imparted to me what he hath 
heard concerning you, and will needs engage me to write 

* The epistolary correspondence between Mr. Williams and this 
clergyman was kept up during the little remainder of Mr. Williams's 
life : and had such a valuable life been protracted to a much longer 
date, their correspondence would no doubt have been continued. For 
ever since Mr. Williams's death, this worthy clergyman retains the high- 
est esteem for his memory, as the happy instrument of his new and di- 
vine life. And in the several parishes where Providence hath since 
called him to exercise his ministry, particularly in his present vicarage, 
he hath given abundant evidences of persevering piety, and of great 
faithfulness to the souls committed to him. 1778. [See ut seq. Jan. 11,1756.] 

f See in Middleton's Evangelica Biographia, vol. iv. an interesting 



45S THE SPiPaTUAL MERCHANT. 1754. 

to you. I am an old man: in man's account, a dissenter; 
in God's, I trust, a Christian. I am, also, a tradesman of no 
small account in this town and neighbourhood : but I trust 
my more beloved, because most gainful trade or traffic, lies 
in a far country. Grace unknown, though not unfelt, put 
me into this way forty-four or forty-five years ago. I was 
then inclined to f seek goodly pearls ;' and having, in the 
bloom of youth, ' found one pearl of great price/ I was 
willing to sell all and buy it. Finding the trade as delight- 
ful as gainful ; and so copious that there was room for as 
many as would, to get an immense estate, without in the 
least rivalling, but rather benefiting each other by joint con- 
tracts ; I thought to have engaged all the youth of my then 
•cquaintance in the same, and set myself, both by word 
and writing, to persuade them thereto, but all to little pur- 
pose. The traffic I proposed to them was, that of mer- 
chant-venturers, in things future and invisible ; to which they 
generally preferred a poor, low, retail trade in things pre- 
sent and visible. This no whit discouraged me. 

My traffic is to the country beyond Jordan, and my chief 
correspondence with the King of Zion, a good friend to 
merchantmen ; he first condescended to traffic with me, fur- 
nished me with the stock, made me many valuable remit- 
tances, and hath firmly assured me of an infinitely great and 
good inheritance, richer than both Indies, to which I am to 
sail and take possession, as soon as I shall be ready for it, 
and our mutual interest will be thereby best promoted. And 
I have so high an opinion of Zion's King, and can so firmly 
rely on his promises, that I look upon my said possession 
as a done thing ; for, indeed, he hath confirmed his promises 
by many undeniable, precious pledges : therefore, although 

and copious account of this pious clergyman, who was born December 
16, 17H; entered on the curacy of Truro, Cornwall, in 1746; anci 
died July 19, 1761, 






jEt. 63. THE SPIRITUAL MERCHANT. 459 

I must own my heart hath been sometimes drawn away 
quite too much to the foresaid pitiful, beggarly trade in 
things present and visible, my principal traffic, I trust, hath 
been, and still is, with the King of Zion. Indeed, I have 
a vast veneration for Him, though unseen ; and, sure I am, 
I have a most endeared affection for all the merchants, of 
whatever name, who traffic the same way. 

I have been informed, sir, that you are a great trafficker, 
though not of many years' standing, with my Prince ; and 
have engaged many, and are studious of engaging all you 
can, to cast in their lot with you : to you, therefore, dear 
sir, I heartily say — God speed! Have you met with no 
Algerine rovers ? They very much infest the high seas, but 
fear them not : Zion's King is Sovereign of the seas, and 
you are under his protection, who will not fail to protect 
and reward you. 

Now, dear sir, I think the allegory hath run its length. 
What shall 1 say to you in plain English, without a figure? 
You are engaged in the best of causes, but you have there- 
by enraged the worst of enemies. Does not Satan roar, 
since you have stricken his kingdom ? He certainly will 
roar : therefore, ' take to you the whole armour of God.' 
Christ's gospel hath in all ages made its way with greater 
success by means of reproaches and persecutions. God 
will cause ' the wrath of men' to praise him, and will ' re- 
strain' ' the remainder* thereof ; and thus he defeats the old 
serpent. I doubt not but you have counted the cost: count 
it again, and you will certainly see reason to ' count it all 
joy' to ' fall into divers temptations.' Some little experi- 
ence I have had of being reviled and persecuted, and of 
having ' all manner of evil' said of me ' falsely for Christ's 
sake ;' and never before that, did I so well understand the 
import of these promises — ' Great is your reward in hea- 
ven' — ' The trial of your faith worketh patience' — 'The 
Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.' May the Lord 



460 MEDITATION AMONG THE TOMBS. 1755. 

abundantly strengthen you for your work and sufferings, 
and all your fellow-helpers in the Lord. May * the God 
of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing f and 
may thousands be your ' joy' and < crown of rejoicing' in 
the day of the Lord Jesus, that you have not run in vain, 
nor laboured in vaiu. Excuse this freedom from a stranger; 
and when you can snatch an hour from more important ser- 
vice, favour me with a long epistle. Here are many wrest- 
ling Jacobs, to whom I shall impart what you write, who 
will thereby be encouraged to hold up their heads against 
the power of Amalek more frequently and more fixedly. 
In the mean time, assure yourself of the frequent but feeble 
intercession of your hearty well-wisher for Jesus' sake, 

J. W, 

HAPPY TEMPER AT THE LORD'S TABLE. 

Lord's-day evening, January 5, 1755. Oh! what sweet 
moments have I had at the table of the Lord this day. Of 
a truth Jesus was there, and made me to know it. How did 
it warm my heart ! How did my ( heart burn within' me ! 
Such a season I have not enjoyed, I think, since the memo- 
rable August £6, 1744, and November 3, 1745. Adored 
be the glorious Master of the feast, for this token of love. 
To him mine eye was directed through the whole adminis? 
tration. ' His name is as ointment poured forth.' ' H$ 
shall be to me as a bundle of myrrh :'— 

" For ever his dear sacred name 
" Shall dwell upon my tongue, 

" And Jesus and salvation be 

" The close of ev'ry song." Watts. 

MEDITATION AMONG THE TOMBS. 

Tuesday morning, March 4, 1755. Walking this morn-, 
ing in the church-yard, I have been considering the days of 
my youth; and, particularly, reflecting on the generation 



JEt. 6$. MEDITATION AMONG THE TOMBS. 463 

which hath ever since been gathering to the generation of 
their fathers. This I observe, that the remembrance of one 
and another who were eminently humble and holy, whether 
rich or poor, ' is as a precious ointment, 7 it spreads a sweet- 
ness on my mind, and impresses it with a veneration for the 
memory of such : they are high in my esteem. Not so tliey 
who were distinguished only by their greatness, their riches, 
their worldly wisdom, or their sparkling wit. When I re- 
collect my ideas of such, or read their epitaphs, I am ready 
to shake my head, and think — Ah ! but where are they now ? 
what is become of all their greatness and grandeur ? ( where 
is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling- 
places of the wicked V And when I think of men of the most 
shining parts, but who with all their knowledge knew not 
the Lord, they move my pity. Some of these have left 
behind them writings, which excite admiration in their read- 
ers, and will do so for ages yet to come ; but, of what use 
is their fame for wit or learning ? What a pitiable case is it, 
to be honoured where they are not ; and despised, insulted, 
tormented where they are ? I fiud neither riches nor po- 
verty, beauty nor deformity, make any difference in my esti- 
mation of the dead. Their works of piety and charity, their 
humbleness of mind, meekness and shining holiness, or the 
Want of these, are the things which make the main differ- 
ence in the sensations I feel, when reflecting on them. I 
have been considering also, why it is thus ? And the chief 
reason I can think of is this — because the good effects of 
these things are abiding, when the others are vanished. 
These, ' follow them/ and are gone with them to their 
present state in the unseen world, and attend them in a glo- 
rious eternity. Well said the wise man, therefore — * Wis- 
dom is the principal thing, get wisdom, and with all thy 
getting get understanding.' 






4§& TtCE I4AN6DAGB OF CANAAN. 1755. 

THE LANGUAGE OF CANAAN : &C- 
To Mr. Archibald Wallace* 

Kidderminster, May 6, 1755. 

DEAR SIR, 

I think worldly expectations do not so much please me, 
or so much exhilarate my spirits, as the prospect of receiv- 
ing and imparting, alternately, communications of a more 
interesting and important nature than any of the concerns of 
this short, transitory life, which I am frequently looking to 
the end of, not without some agreeable, and even joyful, 
expectation. Hearts I know are deceitful things ; yet sure- 
ly, I would hope I am not deceived in this — that no interest 
in the world lies so near my heart, as the interest of Christ 
Jesus our Lord ; no enjoyment is so sweet, as communion 
with him ; nor any employment so delightful as meditating, 
reading, hearing, writing, communing with my own heart, 
and conversing with our Lord's disciples, about the things 
relating to that world and state whither we are going, which 
is our home and rest — the end of our faith — the salvation 
of our souls. Well said the wise man — ' As in water, face 
answereth to face, so the heart of man to man ;' and, in a 
peculiar sense, it is true of those, who, in the apostle's 
sense, have been made to drink into l one spirit/ I re- 
member fifty years ago, when I was a school-boy, my dear 
father brought home with him a stranger, with whom he sat 
ami conversed freely about the things of God ; things I then 
knew very little of, however, I listened to their conversa-^ 
tion ; found they agreed very well, and seemed hugely 
pleased with each other: when he was gone, my mother 
asked my father who the other was, from whence he came, 
and whether he had any business with him ? and, finding he 
had none, how he became acquainted with him ? I shall 
never forget his answer : — " He spoke the language of Ca- 

* Merchant, Edinburgh. IJe died November 20, 1709. 



Jlt.63. RELATING TO THE YOUNG CLERGYMAN. 463 

naan." Dear, thought I, what is that ? I did not under- 
stand it then, but have thought of it a hundred times since. 
Souls bound for the heavenly Canaan, as they receive a new 
nature, and a new heart, so by degrees they acquire a new 
language, and, ere long, shall learn a new song. 

The first account of what you have seen of the remark- 
able work of grace in Cornwall, was transmitted to me by 
Mr. Darracott, a man who has excited a distinguished zeal, 
and whose labours in the Gospel have been crowned with a 
distinguished success above all the dissenting ministers I 
know in England. It came to my hand on the evening of 
November 6, and I was to set out next morning on the 
very same circuit I am going now. Whilst I was reading 
it, and felt my heart glow with a sacred transport, I could 
not but admire the kind providence which had detained me 
three days longer than the time I had fixed for setting out, 
and did not suffer me to take such a tedious journey in the 
depth of winter, without such a reviving cordial ; I cannot 
tell you how much good it did both to myself and others in 
the process of that journey, as it furnished a topic for sweet 
conversation in all my interviews with pious friends, and 
never failed to warm my heart with love and gratitude to our 
glorious, compassionate Lord, and joy for the increase of 
his kingdom. We had been talking of it just before I 
was called to speak a word to the young curate, Mr. Brown; 
of whom I learn from Mr.Randall you have heard. That was a 
remarkable instance of Almighty sovereignty. The arrow 
sticks fast ; every letter I have had from him, discovers a 
humble, broken, contrite heart, mourning for sin, and hun- 
gering and thirsting after righteousness. In the last, which 
is scarcely a fortnight ago, amidst all his complaints and 
longing for 'the day-spring from on high' to visit his soul, he 
cannot but own he is sometimes cheered with rays of light, 
is hoping, awaiting, for brighter manifestations of Divine 
love ; aud seems i determined' to know and preach nothing 



464 DELATING TO THE YOUNG CLERGYMAN. 1765, 

but 'Jesus Christ and him crucified? What an honour to be 

not only a winner of souls, but a winner of such as may 
prove winners, and indeed I am not without great hopes 
Mr. B. will prove a winner of souls ! He mentions in his 
last, the great opposition the preaching of the gospel meets 
with at Bradford ; but at the same time tells me many souls 
are touched, and some are crying out — 'What shall we do to 
be saved ;' Mr. Hart, a pious curate, from Warminster, be- 
ing in company when Mr. Brown and I had our first and 

second interviews, he begged me to call on Mr. J at 

C r, who had been his associate at college, and endured 

with him cruel mockings there, and now meets with great 
opposition for preaching a pure gospel. I was prevented 

from going to C , by great floods, but out of the fulness 

of my heart I wrote to Mr, J. and have had a charming letter 
m return. His predecessor had been the incumbent sixty 
years ; a all that time/' he tells me, "none other doctrine had 
been heard by that numerous people, but justification by 
works, and that merely by going to church, taking the sacra- 
ment, and giving alms : That when he first appeared among 
them, preaching ( repentance toward God, and faith toward 
our Lord Jesus Christ,' they stared, they stood amazed, and, 
as many of them have owned to him since, knew not what 
to make of it ; but that, blessed be God ! all is not lost, many 
are pricked to the heart, and some adopting the jailor's 
question :" shall we not, then, hope and pray, that as he is 
breaking up fallow ground, he will reap a glorious harvest , : 
I hope to see the dear man before I am a week elder, and, 
together with him, be comforted by the mutual faith of both. 
I hope also to see Mr. Brown, the son of my old age. Thus 
you see, dear sir, I use an unreserved freedom in writing to 
you, and should be more glad to converse with you face to 
face. Mr. Randall, I thank him, invited me some time ago 
to Edinburgh ; and who knows what may be in the womb 
of Providence r but I am an old man, in my grand climac- 



JEt. 63. OF BELIEF AND UNBELIEF. 4ft5 

teric ; yet, through the goodness of God, I can say, as Caleb 
does, mutatis mutandis, Joshua, xiv. 10, and indeed the joy 
of the Lord is ' my strength/ he hath poured on me such a 
profusion of goodness, that he hath almost left me nothing 
to ask, but an humble, thankful heart, and a fruitful old age ; 
hitherto, I enjoy a sound, vigorous constitution, and flowing 
prosperity ; 1 have the joy to see my three children walking 
in the truth, and all happily married. More than that, never 
was there an old man more esteemed and loved by a more 
pious, and a more dutiful wife. Above all, oh ! the match- 
less grace, there hath scarcely been a day these thirty years, 
in which I could not, in the confidence of faith say— My 
God ! my Jesus ! my Beloved, my Friend, my All in all ! The 
good Lord keep me always humble, always lying at the feet 
of the adorable Jesus, — at the foot of his cross ; I know 7 I 
am safe no where else. I know I am safe there. Lying 
there, I humbly dare, in his name and strength, to defy all 
the legions of the prince of darkness. Blessed be his name, 
he enables me daily to consecrate all I have and am to him. 
I have no prosperity but in him ; he is my God ; but, I am 
not my own ; my wife, my children, my substance, are not 
mine ; he may do what he pleases with them. Oh ! may 
this be written for ever in the imagination, on the living 
table of my heart, in indelible characters. I greatly rejoice, 
dear sir, to see such indications of the same temper and 
spirit in you also. May the Lord abundantly multiply 

blessings on you and yours. I am, &c. 

J. W. 

OF BELIEF AND UNBELIEF. 

To his daughter Penn (late Mrs. Hanbury). 

Garstang, August 3, 1755, 

MY DEAR CHILD, 

You have always been very dear, and always very dutiful 
to me : may you be rewarded in the dutifulness of your own 

Hh 






466 OF BELIEF AND UNBELIEF. 1?35* 

children. It hath afforded me much satisfaction and pleasure 
that you have been and are, dutiful and dear both to the 
husband of whom you have been bereaved, and whom you 
are now in the enjoyment of. # 

The apostle John assigns sundry reasons, in his first Epis- 
tle, for his writing to * children/ 'fathers/ and 'young-men;' 
the reasons of my writing to you are because I love you, be- 
cause I have many things to commend you for, and because 
I wish you increasing happiness both in time and to eter- 
nity. — I hope you have ' the faith of God's elect;' but if an 
apostle thought it proper to caution or excite Christians to 
* look diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God ;' and 
if another apostle said — ' These things have I written unto 
you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye 
may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe 
on the name of the Son of God ;' it may not be improper, 

* Mr. Henry Perm was a respectable tradesman of Kidderminster, 
and died October 10, 1808, at a very advanced age. — May the Editor 
hope for the .Reader's indulgence while he now pays his tribute to the 
memory of her for whom, though he was then in early youth, he im- 
bibed feelings of veneration and lasting regard. The sentiments con- 
tained in the following extract from a letter by an only daughter, in. 
reply to the Editor's inquiries, are strictly accordant with the judgment 
of all who recollect the person alluded to:—" September 24, 1814." 
■ — — " Respecting my beloved mother I could write volumes ; but per- 
mit me, though in the language of strong affection, to say — that I have 
r.ever met with any one who had so few defects, and so much real ex- 
cellence. Being continually with her, and honoured with her entire 
confidence, I certainly had many opportunities of observing her motives 
to action : but I could not fully appreciate her superior attainments, 
until I have since been enabled to compare her character with others, 
by a larger intercourse with society. Oh ! what a ' crown of glory' 
awaited her. She possessed consummate wisdom and prudence. The 
blessings of < the pooT in spirit,' — of ' the meek,' — ' the pure in heart/ 
— 'the peace-maker,' — * the patient in tribulation,' — will all be hers! — 
But I must check my pen : your father will confirm that my testimony 
ia true."— She died August 7, 1789, aged 68. 



Alt 63. OF BELIEF AND UNBELIEF. 46? 

considering its infinite importance, if I put you on examin- 
ing the truth and evidences of your faith : for, what can be 
plainer and more important than this — ' He that believeth 
on the Son hath everlasting life : and he that believeth not 
the Son shall not see life ; but the wrath of God abideth on 
him.' They who read their Bibles, and assent to the truth 
of what they find there ; who make a profession of religion ; 
and who are diligent in their business, and blameless in their 
lives, no doubt, are forward to entertain a good hope that 
they ' believe on the name of the Son of God ;' but such 
may be undone for ever, for want of at any time seriously 
admitting a doubt thereof, and bringing their faith to the 
touch-stone of God's Word ! Hence, believing or not be- 
lieving are the certain, distinguishing qualifications for eter- 
nal life or eternal death. Is it, then, a small thing to be- 
lieve ? Is the gate wide, and the way broad, that leadeth 
unto life ; and do the many find it ; or, is not the reverse of 
this the truth ? But, why do they not find it ? Is the gate 
so strait that no entrance can be obtained, and the way too 
narrow to be trod ? No ; thousands have gained admit- 
tance ; millions, no doubt, have trod the path ! Why do not 
more ? It is for want of seeking ; or for want of seeking 
aright : many, indeed, seek to enter in and are not able ; that 
is, they are not willing ! They have not parted with their 
idols ; they have not mortified their darling lusts ; they love 
' darkness rather than light,' which would shew them that 
they are ' wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and 
naked.' They will not be convinced that they are sinners 
by nature as well as by practice, ( and come short of the 
glory of God ;' and for want of this, they do not come hum- 
bly to Christ, labouring and heavy laden with the guilt and 
burden of sin. The promise is — ( Seek and ye shall find :' 
that cannot fail; it is we who fail of the condition of the 
promise ! — Commend me kindly to your husband. I wish 

H h 2 











468 FAITH INCREASED BY ITS EXERCISE. 1755. 

you both all happiness. Be persuaded to search and try 
your hearts and ways : the reward thereof will more than 
countervail all the pains. Always think of me as your faith- 
ful and affectionate father, 

J.W. 

FAITH INCREASED BY ITS EXERCISE. 
To Mr. A. Wallace. 

Kidderminster, September 22, 1755* 

VERY DEAR SIR, 

I know not how to express my grateful sense of the obli- 
gations you have laid me under, to love you as long as I live 
and to~ serve you to the utmost of my power. How then 
can I be thankful enough to Him in whose hands all hearts 
are, who raised me up such a friend ! Much of his good- 
ness he caused to pass before me in the course of my last 
journey ; and made the whole a scene of great kindness. He 
girded me with strength, so that I was scarcely weary in all 
iny journey, and though I rode a high trotting horse I had not 
T^een accustomed to, no evil befel me or the beast; whereas 
my dear friend, Mr. Randall, had a fall, and was hurt in a 

journey of a few hours, and my companion, Mr. S 1, was 

obliged to leave his horse behind him at Darlington. Blessed 
be God, I came home safe, and found my dear Mrs. Williams 
and all friends well. At my return, I found yours, for 
which I heartily thank you, as also for the present it brought 
for two worthy ministers, which I intend to divide between 
them before I am many days elder. 

I think I see by the contents of your letter in part, what 
the temper and turn of your mind is. You have built upon 
a solid foundation, which cannot be moved; and yet, accord- 
ing to your own account, your superstructure sometimes tot- 
ters. How happens this? The fault must lie in the cement, 
It is faith unites us to Christ ; your faith is of the right kind 
but it is like ill-tempered, or untempered mortar, mixed with 



jEt.63. FAITH INCREASED BY ITS EXERCISE. 469 

doubting ; doubting is not believing ; yet, I confess, it is con- 
sistent with believing, and I am glad it is. ' O thou of little 
faith/ saith our Lord, l wherefore didst thou doubt ?' Strong 
faith excludes doubting, as perfect love casts out fear: I would 
have you strong in the faith ; I would have you a confident 
believer,who dare take the kingdom of heaven by a holy vio- 
lence. I will tell you how, as the Lord shall enable me : — 
You take great pleasure in the increase of Christ's kingdom ; 
you rejoice to hear the Lord is carrying on his own work in 
various corners of the land ; that one mark, is evidence suffi- 
cient to prove, that Christ loves you ; yea, that he hath saved 
you, and called you with a holy calling ; as thus : If you re- 
joice in the increase of the kingdom, it is plain you love the 
King; and, if you love him, it is because he first loved you, 
St. John being witness ; and, whereas he argues, that whoso 
' loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of 
him/ it will hold equally true, if you turn the argument the 
other way — he that loveth those that are begotten, loveth him 
that begat ; for, saith the same apostle — ' we know that we 
have passed from death unto life, because we love the bre- 
thren/ What hinders then, but that in the confidence of 
faith, you put in your claim, as poor unbelieving Thomas 
did, when he was ashamed to doubt any longer ? Say with 
him — ' My Lord, and my God / say it, though you speak 
tremblingly ; that is, exerting a direct act of faith ; then say 
with the Spouse — ' My beloved is mine, and I am his/ Some 
degree of doubting may mingle with such exercises at first, 
Rut you will soon find the advantage of them. My dear fa- 
ther hath oft instigated me with — Have limbs, and use them. 
Take my word for it, use faith, and your stock will increase. 
By and by will be whispered to your heart — ( I haveloved thee 
with an everlasting love, therefore, with loving kindness 
have I drawn thee / when you hear such language as this, 
and know it is the Lord's, you will find your heart glow with 

hh3 



470 FAITH INCREASED BY ITS EXERCISE. 1755. 

suck a genial warmth of love, of gratitude, and of joy un- 
speakable, that you will not know how to love him enough, or 
praise him enough,or rejoice enough in such a Friend : at the 
same time, you will be humbled before him to the very dust, 
and perhaps lower than ever you were before, under a sense 
of your vileness and unworthiness. Do venture to put forth 
an appropriating act of faith ; what can you lose by it ? Are 
you afraid of presuming ? God forbid I should encourage 
presumption : but, is it presumption in any child of yours to 
to come, and in an humble, tender manner, say to you — My 
father? Would you not thereupon feel workings of paternal 
affection towards such a child ? Might not such a child ex- 
pect some mark of approbation at least ? ' If you then, be- 
ing evil, know how to' speak kindly to an humble child/who 
wants to obtain some mark of your love, ' how much more 
shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them 
that ask him ?' But then, you must be sure, ever after, to lie at 
the foot of the cross, in the lowliest prostration ; for we are 
no where safe but there. You do already see much love, wis- 
dom, and faithfulness in all the trials wherewith our heavenly 
Father is trying you ; but, believe me, when you can in the 
confidence of faith, call him yours, and say — 'This God is my 
God for ever and ever, he will be my guide unto death ;' 
then, nothing can come amiss to you; you will dare to trust 
him with every thing ; you will acquiesce in all his dispensa- 
tions, as well and wisely ordered ; and, in every case it will 
be enough that he has made with you \ an everlasting cove- 
nant.' 

Both the sabbaths I spent on the road after I left you, I 
sat under very poor advantages. I think the most remark- 
able event on my return was an interview with Mr. C , 

curate of H , within a mile of L ; I heard of him 

from a pious exhorter ; I then inquired his character ; I was 
told he had been converted many years ago, perhaps sixteen 
or seventeen ; that, he thereupon began to preach salvation 



-£t. 63. tfAITH INCREASED BY ITS EXERCISE. 471 

by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus, but was soon sur- 
rounded with an opposition so violent and general, that he 
could not then sustain the shock ; that, ' for peace' sake, he 
had thenceforward so shaped his discourses, as not on the 
one hand to deny the truth, nor, on the other, to provoke his 
neighbours ; but durst not speak out, till some time ago, when 

he fell into company with the worthy Archdeacon of L , 

concerning whom I have had the pleasure to hear that he 
hath grace enough to fear nothing ; that, this conversation 

was so blessed to Mr. C , that ever since, he hath dared 

to speak out, whereby he hath raised up against him enemies 
enough ; that, he gave great offence by two sermons he had 

preached, one last year at the parish church of L , from 

Isaiah, xxix. 11, 12; the other very lately from Jeremiah, 
vi. 16; they are both published. Having heard this account, 
I could not deny myself the pleasure of making him a visit. 
It was perhaps four o'clock, and he was gone out ; his sister 
and daughter immediately sent for him, and he came. I told 
him what I had to say was private; he therefore took 
me aside ; we were well acquainted soon, and could talk to- 
gether with the freedom of intimate friends ; and why not, 
for we had been ' made to drink into one spirit/ Alas ! alas ! 
among the multitudes who roundly recite their creed, how 
few do really believe " the communion of saints," or know 
what it is ! Let us not be high-minded, but pity rather than 
despise such, and bless God with our whole hearts, that we 
know in part what it is. He quickly let me know that both 
his sister and daughter were in Christ ; and that I might talk 
freely before them; so we returned, drank tea, and conversed 
till it was time for me to mount, having eight Yorkshire 
miles to ride to my lodging. I animated him all I could, 
and he told me the Lord had sent me; I could not but think 
so too, for my spirit was drawn out in earnest prayer, all the 

way from L . Our time together being but short, I 

wrote to him soon after, to which I had a secret answer; in 

H H 4 









472 HIS SUPERIORITY TO THE WORLD. 1755. 

which, among other things, he earnestly requests prayers; not 
mine only, but, that I would recommend him to the prayers 
of all Christians here. Accordingly, Tuesday being our 
weekly meeting for social prayer, I gave in a note, im- 
porting that — " The Rev. Mr. C desires our prayers 

that his corruptions may be done away," these being his own, 
words, " that his faith fail not ; that his diligence in the mi- 
nistry be not slack ; and that a blessing be upon his poor, 
weak endeavours." This was spread before the Lord> and 
Mr. Fawcett was much enlarged in pleading on his behalf. 

I am, &c. 

J.W, 

HIS SUPERIORITY TO THE WORLD, 
To the Rev. R. Darracott* 

Kidderminster, October 4, 1755. 



It is far from being the least of the mercies our bountiful 
Lord is pouring out upon me, that I have such a friend as 
you, now and then to warm my heart with a literary commu- 
nication. Indeed, I have many such friends, and not a few 
among the established clergy. Strange revolution! May 
the Lord make them a thousand times as many ! Blessed 
be his name, he hath, I trust, given me to sit loose to the 
world, so that I cannot love it, and do not care how little I 
have to do in the concerns of it ; nor does any thing but a 
sense of duty, for aught I know, engage me to spend the 
hours I do spend therein ; and yet he is filling my cup, and 
making it to run over more than ever. I am sometimes ready 
to think, he is heaping worldly favours upon me, as if these 
were to be all my portion, and I were to have all my ' good 
things here :' but, " I am resolved, by his grace," as Luther 
said, when offered a cardinal's hat, " the Lord Jesus Christ 
shall not put me off with such trifles." I am resolved, his 

* He died March 14, 1759, aged 42. 



JTf.63. HIS SUPERIORITY TO THE WORLD. 47$ 

grace enabling me, how much soever he gives me of the good 
tilings of this life, to give him all again. They will very 
well serve the purposes for which he bestows them ; but they 
will not serve me for a portion. The Lord, I praise him, 
hath given me a constitution, that will not be satisfied with 
such husks ; I must have more substantial meat, such as the 
saints in glory love ; yea, such as angels eat. Dead be my 
heart to all below. These things, well laid out, will ' make 
me friends ;' even friends that s will receive me into everlast- 
ing habitations ;' but, if they be held fast, and grasped hard, 
they will but delude my hopes, fail my expectation, and 
wound the hand that holds them. It cheers and delights my 
heart, that the Lord hath made me one of his almoners : oh ! 
may I obtain grace of him to be faithful in that office ; that 
when I am called to ' give' up my ' account/ I * may do it 
with joy, and not with grief or shame. 

You may think part of the sum I now send you, to help 
toward Daniel's* education for the ministry comes out of my 
own purse. No ; but when more is wanting, I will send 
you part of what my Lord has committed to my trust. Nor 
did I ask any one to contribute ; but came by it thus : — When 
I was at Bath with my first wife, a little before she died, I 
contracted an intimacy with a pious Scots minister, Mr. 
Randall ; who, having a pious friend, Mr. Wallace of Edin- 
burgh, recommended me to his acquaintance. " Write to 
him," said Mr. R. " for some of his goods, he is a manufac* 
turer, you are a merchant, and then take the opportunity to 
say any thing to him you please : He will answer you." Ac- 
cordingly, an order came in May last for some goods, and 
Mr. Wallace told me, that having seen Mr. Fawcett's Bre- 
viate, which he had sent to Mr. Gillies of Glasgow, of all 
the accounts he had received out of Cornwall ; he was de- 
sirous Mr. Walker's t converts should be established and 
built up in their most holy faith ; for that end, with the assist- 

* See page 430. f See page 457, 






474 HIS PATIENCE UNDER SEVERE PAINS. 1755. 

ance of friends, he had made a collection of good practical 
books for their use, and desired me to tell him to whose care 
in London he should consign them, to be forwarded to Mr. 
Walker. At the same time he inquired, by what other 
means he might contribute to the promotion of the interests 
of Christ. A sweet unction ran through all his letter. I 
found he was a right man for my purpose, and on an occa- 
sion I ventured to lay down a guinea for him, and wrote him 
word of it ; adding, that if he did not approve of the freedom 
I had used, that guinea should be my own. Soon after, he 
sent me a guinea, with four and a half more, the contribution 
of several friends, to be disposed of as I would, for the in- 
terests of Christ, which is what is contained in the above 
sum. — When Mr. Randall recommended Mr. Wallace to 
me, last May, as he before had me to him, Mr. R. sent me a 
pressing invitation to come to Edinburgh the next circuit, 
urging the probability of my succeeding in trade, and pro- 
mising to meet me there, on previous notice. — In my last 
July journey I took in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. — The 
success confirmed Mr. Randall's opinion ; nor should ;it be 
overlooked, that he had made me one fast friend in each city 
a few months before. Thus, what have we to do but follow 
where our Father leads, keep in his way, and * keep ourselves 
in his love/ devoting all to him, from whom we receive all ? 
I am, dear sir, yours 8cc. J. W. 



HIS PATIENCE UNDER SEVERE PAINS. 
To a gentleman at London. 

Bath, November 5, 1755. 

DEAR SIR, 

Here I am the Lord's prisoner, but ' a prisoner of hope.' 
It will be a fortnight to-morrow since I left home. My 
Divine Master arrested me on his own day, whilst sitting un- 
der a sermon at . There, I got cold and was seized 

with a pain across the reins. It was tolerable a day or two^ 



u£t.6S. HIS PATIENCE UNDER SEVERE PAINS. 475 

but increased till my patience had full exercise. Tueday, 
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, I spent at Bristol, full 
of pain day and night, but not without some merciful inter- 
missions. Perhaps some of the lively Israelitish women, 
and possibly some of our own country, have brought forth 
their first-born with throes less excruciating, less sink- 
ing of their spirits, than those which oppressed mine in nu- 
merous instances : yet, I still believed all was mercy, and 
could bless the hand that smote me, resigning myself entirely 
to his disposal. It was a vast satisfaction to me, whilst 'he 
chastened me with pain upon my bed, and the multitude of 
my bones with strong pains/ to believe, as Dr. Watts sings — 

u He knows the pain his servants feel, 

" He hears his children cry, 
" And their best wishes to fulfil 

" His grace is ever nigh." 

Particularly on Thursday night, when my pains were a full 
trial to my patience, he gave me a sensible, surprising, cheer- 
ing proof that he was awake as well as I : for, when my 
pains grew almost insupportable, and I lay mingling with my 
groans such cries as these — Lord Jesus, is it not enough? 
Lord Jesus, are not thy compassions infinite ? Lord Jesus, 
I have none to fly to, none to pity, none to help me but thy- 
self. How easily canst thou succour me ; Lord, what thou 
wilt, when thou wilt, how thou wilt. Glorify thyself in me, 
by me, upon me ; but, 4 remember that I am dust.' c Crush' 
me not as l the moth/ &c. — Presently my pains abated. As 
the Doctor sings — 

" With pitying eyes, the Prince of grace 

" Beheld my helpless grief; 
" He saw, and (O amazing love !) 

" He ran to my relief." 

He commanded ease to return in a few minutes. But, oh ! 
how was I ravished with his condescending kindness, How 









476 HIS BENEFIT FROM BATH WATERS. 1755. 

did my soul praise him, and resolve to praise him as long as 
1 lived ! nor, have I been tried with such exquisite pains 
since. — Friday evening I rode hither in pain. Next morn- 
ing I consulted my friend Dr. Davies. By following his di- 
rections in bathing and pumping, I now have only a sensibi- 
lity where the pains were. I cannot tell you how much 
mercy I see in this visitation. ' Bless the Lord, O my soul ; 
and all that is within me, bless his holy name : Bless the 
Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits ;' who not 
only c forgiveth all thine iniquities/ but ' who healeth all thy 
diseases/ Believe me to be, with great respect, your much 
obliged, cordial friead, and humble servant for Jesus' sake, 

J.W. 

HIS BENEFIT FROM BATH WATERS. 

To a gentleman at Cirencester. 

Bath, November 7, 1755. 

DEAR SIR, 

The Lord hath dealt very graciously with me. These two 
last mornings I continue well, and to-morrow, with the Doc- 
tor's leave, I prosecute my journey. ' Bless the Lord, O 
my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name/ 
Shall he not have the praise ? Shall tribes of diseased mor- 
tals, who are repairing hither from all parts, all the year 
round, drinking health, and washing away their pains and 
weaknesses, in this choice, this redundant preparation, this 
fountain which, like its glorious Author, is ever flowing and 
overflowing, go away, like ' nine of the ten lepers/ and never 
acknowledge the great Physician ; — the most sublime Chy*. 
mist ? Shall scarcely one in ten ' turn back and glorify God ?'■ 
Instead of that, shall they, at least numbers of them, spend 
their days in luxury, and much of the night ' in rioting and 
drunkenness, in chambering and wantonness/ in gaming and 
sinful pastimes ? And still are the virtues of the water con- 
tinued ! Oh ! the boundless patience of our God ! unwea- 
ried forbearance ! goodness immense ! and grace inexhausti- 



JEt. 64. HIS INCREASING BODILY WEAKNESS. 477 

ble ! Shall we be of the number of these blind, ungrateful 
mortals ? Forbid it, mighty God ! Shall we not trace him, 
and see him, in all his works of wonder and grace ? Yes, 
and our souls shall bless him, and love him, and fear him, 
and trust in him, and be wholly devoted and resigned to his 
wise, his good, his sovereign will and pleasure. I am, dear 
sir, very respectfully yours, 

J. w. 

HIS INCREASING BODILY WEAKNESS. 

To his daughter Winter.* 

Maidenhead, December 6, 1755. 

MY DEAR SALLY, 

Very glad 1 should be to see you, Mr. Winter, and ' the 
children the Lord hath graciously given you/ if it were his 
gracious will. I think he hath not said — Go into London 
this journey. No; if I at all understand his voice, it is — 
Make haste, and get home, lest ' thy strength/ which is al- 
ready much ' weakened in the way/ should fail thee in the 
way, and thou fall into the hands of thou knowest not 
whom. Indeed, I dare not enter into London : yet, I think, I 
should not fear that, or any thing else, could I see Provi- 
dence calling me to undertake it. At present I sensibly feel 
that he forbids me. Indeed, I have had a sickly stomach 
some weeks, ' and the strong men' begin to ' bow them- 
selves/ and that not only when going up stairs or up hill, but 
even upon the plain. I am not able to walk London streets ; 
but am desirous, if it be the will of God, to ride home. I 
think I have told you enough, when I have added — 'Through 
the grace of God, none of these things move me :' for, ' I 
know that my Redeemer liveth :' and, ' I know whom I 
have believed/ Perhaps, he will strengthen me again : if 
not — l Father, not my will, but thine be done/ — * The Lord 
be with you all/ Pray and praise for, my dear, your affec- 
tionate father, whilst J. W. 



* She died in 1778, ftged 49. 



478 HIS DYING COMFORTS. 1755. 

HIS DYING COMFORTS. 
To his Wife* 
Windsor, Lord's-day, December 7, 1755. 

MY DEAREST, 

1 If the Lord will/ I shall be at Kidderminster soon after 
this reaches your hands : but, if it be his will I should never 
reach that dear place of my nativity, his * will be done/ It 
hath long been my earnest desire and prayer — That I may 
have no other will but my Father's ; but that, he alone can 
give : I trust he hath given it, me in part, and I trust he will 
give it me more entirely, and that ' as my day, so shall my 
strength be' also, if it be his will, I would gladly return 
from whence I came, either to recover strength, or to die, as 
pleaseth my dear ' Father which is in heaven/ But, if it 
please him who said — * Take Aaron up to mount Hor, and 
Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there/ 
to say — Let Joseph Williams die on the road, or at Wind- 
sor, or Beaconsfield, or Wycombe, or Oxford, or whereso- 
ever ; who dare say against it ? I desire to say still, and in 
every case— l Father, not my will, but thine be done/ I am 
glad my Will is made, touching the disposal of my earthly 
goods ; if I should not return alive, you know that it is in 
my daughter Penn's possession ; and there is a letter I have 
addressed to you, my dear, which is in the right-hand drawer 
of my desk, which I would have no one to see but yourself. 
Should it please God to weaken my strength the next four 
days, as he hath done the last four days, I think 1 shall not be 
able to hold out unto the end. Who knows, however, but 
on this day of rest 1 may receive fresh supplies of strength ? 
Nothing is too hard for the Lord : but, indeed, at present I 
am scarce able to rise out of my chair. i The keepers of 
the house' do not ' tremble/ but, truly, 'the strong men 

* This is the last letter Mr, W. was able to write. 



JEt. 64. HIS DYING COMPORTS. 479 

bow themselves/ especially when walking up stairs, and up 

hill. 

The great apostle saith — e But we had the sentence' (or 
as it is in- the margin, the answer) { of death in ourselves, 
that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which 
raiseth the dead/ I cannot say absolutely, that I have the 
sentence of death in myself in the sense in which I there 
understand the apostle : for, he had just before said — < We 
were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that 
we despaired even of life/ I cannot say, that my views of 
the symptoms of my present disorder amount to a despair of 
life, or of recovery ; and yet, I cannot think it wholly im- 
probable, that I have the symptoms of an approaching 
diabetes, which may prove incurable, and bring on an 
atrophy (which I think to be already begun, for my body 
and limbs are considerably shrunk) and so this animal frame 
may, in a few months, or weeks, or days, pine away, be dis- 
solved, and die. At least, I think I have ground enough to 
suppose this may be the case, and upon such a supposition, 
to consider what I have to do, whilst life and breath remain. 
Indeed, my dearest, my heart is sensibly touched in respect 
of you: and yet, you need not much wonder, if my thoughts 
appear to be much engrossed about my own self, my future 
self, my eternal self. Especially, as this is the Lord's-day, 
and I cannot go to church, partly through weakness, and 
partly as I am continually spitting up phlegm. Let me, 
therefore, talk to myself. 

Most certainly, this animal frame is frail and mortal 
though my soul is immortal. Why ? because my Father, 
' the Father of spirits/ hath said — Let it be immortal. But, 
. he hath ' appointed unto men once to die f and, what if 
1 the time of my departure draweth nigh ?' What if I am to 
be exercised, as I have been for many days past, with loss 
of appetite, frequent defluxiqns, fits of sickness even unto 



480 HIS DYING COMFORTS. 1755. 

vomiting, and growing weakness ; till this body, lately so 
active and sprightly, be quite emaciated and enfeebled, and 
become no longer tenantable for my immortal spirit ? This 
could not be my case, had not my Father appointed it 
should be so. ' My days are determined, the number of my 
months is with him, he hath appointed my bounds, which I 
cannot pass :' and, why should I desire to pass them ? No, 
I do not, would not, will not desire it. Under whatever 
exercises of sickness and pain, it becomes me to say, and let 
me say it with my whole heart, and with the full consent of 
my will — ' Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.' — 
Certainly, it is my interest to * trust, not in myself, but in 
God who raiseth the dead.' How else shall I bear with 
patience and with becoming resignation, the painful, tedious 
unwinding of the thread of life ! How shall I ' kiss the 
rod/ but by ' hearing it, and him who doth appoint it !' 

* Lord, increase my faith/ ' Lord, help my unbelief/ But, 
in this view of my case, how shall I be thankful enough to 

* the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ !' How 
shall I bless him enough, i who, according to his abundant 
mercy, hath begotten me again unto a lively hope by the re- 
surrection of Jesus Christ from the dead :' unto a lively 
hope * of an inheritance incorruptible, undeflled, and that 
fadeth not away, reserved in heaven' for me : and to a lively 
hope, that I am s . kept by the power of God through faith 
unto salvation ;' and, that herein I can ' greatly rejoice, 
though now for a season/ as ' need* is, I am ' in heaviness 
through manifold' trials. What should I do, or what could 
support my spirits, c if in this life only I had hope ?' What 
though a bountiful Providence hath blessed me with more 
than enough to fulfil all my engagements : what though I 
have seen all my children comfortably settled : what though 
no man can be happier than I, in a dear, tender, dutiful 
wife : what can all these things do for a dying man '? I ask 



JEt. 64. HIS DYING COMFORTS. 481 

again — What can all these temporary comforts do for a dy- 
ing man, were they ten times as many and comforting as they 
are ? 

I suppose myself a dying man ; and, upon such a suppo- 
sition, what can possibly stand me in stead ? I read in St. 
John's Revelation — ' Blessed are the dead which die in the 
Lord, from henceforth ; yea, saidi the Spirit, that they may 
rest from their labours, and their works do follow them :' 
and, that this he ' heard' by ' a voice from heaven/ Should I 
not hereupon inquire — What is all this to me ? What is it 
to ' die in the Lord r' It is to die, united to Christ by faith, 
firmly believing on him, and that both as ' able to save 
to the uttermost,' and as equally willing to save. Shall 
I thus ' die in the Lord r' Do 1 < live in the Lord,' and 
i to the Lord r' ' The life that I now live in the flesh/ do. 
< I live by the faith of the Son of God ?' Do I l do all' 
that I do, ' whether in word or in deed, in the name of the 
Lord Jesus Christ ¥ Do I by lively actings of faidi receive 
all my supplies, in the religious life, out of his ' fulness/ 
and from him as the ever-flowing, over-flowing Fountain of 
all grace t Do I i do all' with an eye ' to his glory/ daily 
and continually devoting, resigning, and consecrating all he 
doth or shall bestow on me, to his service and disposal ? If 
not, what or where are those ' works' which shall ' follow' 
me ? or, of what avail shall any works of mine, that shall 
follow me, be to my eternal salvation ? I apprehend that 
none of those works of mine, that shall follow me, can avail 
me any thing, otherwise than as evidences of my sincere love 
to Christ, and unfeigned faith in him : and so I understand 
the sovereign Judge, when foretelling the process of the 
last judgment — ' Come ye blessed, &c. for I was an hun- 
gred, and ye gave me meat, &c/ that is, you evidenced your 
love to me, and faith in me, by relieving, for my sake, those 
who loved me, and stood in need of your help. If this be 

I i 








4S2 HIS DYING COMFORTS, 1755. 

a right sense of those important words, I humbly trust many 
works shall follow me, of which I shall ' not be ashamed' 
at that glorious, glorifying day, — that great day of retribu- 
tion ; even then, when l the kings of the earth, and the 
great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the 
mighty men, shall hide themselves in the dens, and in the 
rocks of the mountains, and shall say to the mountains and 
rocks — Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that 
sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb/ 
I have a cheerful, soul-reviving hope, that even thea, the 
glorious Lamb, whose coming I joyfully expect, whose 
c name is' bow ' as ointment poured forth/ and who is my 
sure refuge in every time of need, c my Lord and my God,' 
my Saviour and my Friend, my Jesus and my All, will shew 
.me a pleased, smiling countenance : 

" Then, will he own my worthless name 

" Before his Father's face, 
". And in the New Jerusalem 

" Appoint my soul a place." Watts. 

Certainly, ( my conscience bearelh me witness/ before the 
Lord, that I have relieved many, s in the name of disciples/ 
and upon no other consideration than a charitable hope, that 
they were lovers of Christ, and interested in his love. Cer- 
tainly, e my conscience beareth me witness/ that I have 
long since absolutely and entirely devoted to the 1 Lord 
Christ, and to his interest, all that he hath entrusted me 
with : yea, every day have I endeavoured and designed afresh 
to consecrate to him and his service, all I am, and all I 
have ; resolving, by his grace, to render to him whatever his 
providence may ask for, be it more or less. Long since, 
lie hath clearly shewed me, that I came ' naked' into this 
world; and, that consequently, all I am possessed of is the 
free gift of his bounty and kind providence ; therefore, all I 
have is hi-5 own, and sacred to him and to his sovereign 



JEt. 64. HIS DYING COMFORTS. 483 

will and pleasure : and his promises assure me, I shall not, 
I cannot be a loser by whatever I do for him. Not that my 
Lord forbids me, or restrains me, from freely using whatever 
mav contribute to my own present comfort ; ' for he giveth 
liberally, and upbraideth not/ Nor doth he restrain me 
from providing for my own, but commands me to ( provide,* 
according to my ability, ( specially for those' who are ' of 
my ' own house/ Yet he expects I should eye and observe 
the calls of his providence, and obey them; l not grudging* 
to give whatever he seems to demand of me, either to the 
relief of his people's wants, or for the fartherance and pros- 
perity of his gospel. How far I have acted by this rule, the 
last great day will in the best manner declare. Undoubtedly, 
in many things, 1 l have sinned, and come short of the glory 
of God / yet, in the main, and believing him to be c the 
Lord God, merciful and gracious/ &c. I dare lodge my ap- 
peal with him 'who searcheth the reins and hearts/ that he 
doth know it hath been my desire and design to ' honour the 
Lord with my substance/ &c. Nevertheless, I freely own, 
that I draw my brightest evidences, and derive my liveliest 
hopes, not so much from what I have done for him, as from 
what he hath done for me, and in me, and by me. Certainly, 
I experienced the mighty power of his grace, changing and 
renewing my heart, in the days of my youth, when aged 
about seventeen or eighteen ; drawing me to hate what I na- 
turally loved, and to love what I naturally hated. Certainly, 
'he turned me, and I was turned/ in a great measure, from 
those vanities and lusts in which my heart had long delighted. 
In numberless instances, he hath cheered my heart with the 
smiles of his reconciled face, and hath < shed abroad that 
love* of his, ' which is better than wine/ Certainly, in very 
numerous instances, he hath enabled me to ' rejoice with joy 
unspeakable, and full of glory/ and many times on account 
of immediate answers to prayer : and, the brighter and fuller 

i i 2 



484 HIS DYING COMFORTS. 1755. 

the discoveries of his Jove have been, he, and he alone, doth 
know, the more deeply have I been made to humble myself 
at hisiOeet ; yea, to ( abhor myself and repent/ as it were/ in 
dust and ashes/ And there is not any thing I have been more 
desirous, or even ambitious of, these many years, than to lie, 
and always lie, at the foot of the cross of Christ, in the low- 
liest submission and prostration of soul, sensible that 1 am 
nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing; and, at the same 
time, to see myself ' complete in him/ Surely, nothing have 
I desired more, or more fervently, than that he would make 
me humble, and keep me always humble. Nor hath any 
consideration tended more to reconcile my spirit to this af- 
flictive dispensation, than this hope — that the Lord is hear- 
ing my prayers, and granting me the thing I wished for. In- 
deed, I scarce know what method could be more effectual, 
than that he hath taken, to humble me to the dust, and make 
me sensible I am nothing in his hands, but what he makes 
me to be. Let him, therefore, humble me, and spare 
not. Only, dearest Lord, give me submission, give me pa- 
tience, give me always to see thy hand in every affliction, 
give me always to lie at thy feet, without a murmuring word, 
or a repining thought. Oh ! give me to accept of the punish- 
ment of my sins. 

Do not imagine, my dearest, I write these things to grieve 
you; but to glorify God. Oh! how dear is Christ now to my 
soul. I hope my Christian friends pray for me. I can do but 
little of that work myself: but, blessed be his name, I can 
cast myself at his feet, and say (I think, with my whole 
heart) as holy Baxter did — Ci Lord, what thou wilt, when 
thou wilt, how thou wilt." ' The Spirit,' I hope, 6 beareth 
witness with my spirit, that I am a child of God ;' and the 
same Spirit, in many of my fellow Christians, beareth the 
^ame witness. Nor am I ashamed to own, that 1 take plea- 
sure and comfort in the good opinion of the godly. To 
stand so high in their esteem, as their many letters witness, 



jEt. 64. HIS DYING COMFORTS. 485 

contributes not a little to the clearing of my evidences, the 
brightening of my hopes, and elevating of my joy in the 
Lord. 

Now then, O my soul, what remains for me to do all the 
residue of my days, but, first of all to extol and praise Him, 
1 who hath saved me, and called me with a holy calling ;' and 
not only so,but hath given me to eat of the hidden manna; and, 
not only so, but hath 'given me a white stone, and in the 
stone a new name written, which no man knows' but myself. 
Oh ! what is Hell, to be delivered from, and to know that I 
am delivered. Oh ! what is Heaven, to be the place and 
state of our advancement, and to know that we are denizens 
of the New Jerusalem. In the next place, should I not 
speak of Him, and recommend his good ways to all around 
me ; and that, even whilst he is ' weakening my strength in 
the way, and shortening my days V What though he crush 
my feeble frame ! What though ' my days be spent with grief, 
and my hours with sighing !' What though ' I chatter like a 
crane, or a swallow, and mourn like a dove' — that l my age 
is departed, and is removed from me like a shepherd's tent;' 
that 1 1 have cut off like a weaver my life ;' that ' He will 
cut me off with pining sickness,' and ' from day even to night 
will make an end of me !' Is it not enough, that, in Christ Jesus 
the Lord, 'he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, 
ordered in all things and sure ?' ' This is all my salvation/ Be 
this ' all my desire.' Is it not matter of abounding joy, that 
I can sing, with appropriating faith, Dr. Doddridge's twenty- 
second hymn ? 

" 'Tis mine, the cov'nant of his grace; 

<c And ev'ry promise mine ! 
u All sprung from everlasting love, 

" And seal'd by blood divine. 

a On my unworthy favour'd head 
" Its blessings all unite ; 
I 13 



486 HIS DYING COMFOKTS. 1755. 

" Blessings more num'rous than the stars, 
" More lasting, and more bright. 

" Death, thou may'st tear this rag of flesh, 

" And sink my fainting head, 
ic And lay my ruins in the grave, 

(C Among my kindred-dead : 

u But death and hell in vain shall strive 

" To break that sacred rest, 
" Which God's expiring children feel, 

" When leaning on his breast. 

u Th' enlarged soul thou canst not reach, 

" Nor rend from Christ away ; 
" Though o'er my mould'ring dust thou boast, 

" The triumphs of a day. 

" The night is past, my morning dawns, 

" My Cov'nant-God descends, 
u And wakes that dust to join my soul, 

" In bliss that never ends, 

a That cov'nant the last accent claims 
" Of this poor fault'ring tongue ; 

" And that shall the first notes employ 
" Of my celestial song." 

Farewell, my dearest. 1 hope to see you again : but, if 
not, all is well. We shall spend a long, a joyful eternity at 
our Father's house together. If separate spirits may have 
the honour of ' ministering spirits,' how T gladly Mould I be a 
witness to your secret devotions, and, if possible, an assistant ! 
And, how gladly would I receive your expiring spirit, in or- 
der to convoy and present it at the foot of the eternal throne ! 
But how little do I yet know of these things ! Yet ' a little 



JZt.64. HIS DYING COMFORTS. 487 

while,' and we shall know ten million times more than is yet 
known by your poor, loving, rejoicing, 

Joseph Williams* 

* Mr. Williams was in perfect health, when he left home, October 
S3, 1755. His illness began in less than a week after ; which induced 
him to use the Bath waters, under the direction of an eminent physi- 
cian there of his intimate acquaintance ; and he appeared to be so well 
recovered, that he left Bath, November 10, to prosecute his journey. 
But after the gradual advance of every threatening symptom, he wrote 
the above letter to his wife, which she received, December 11 ; about 
an hour before he himself was brought home in a chaise. His com- 
plaints terminated in a lethargy, of which he died on Lord's-day morn- 
ing, December 21, about a month after he had completed his grand cli- 
macteric. 

To the above note the present Editor adds, that Mr. Watson often 
mentioned an observation of the Rev. G. Whitefield to Mr. Williams: 
— That " frequently he who had glorified God by a life peculiarly ac- 
tive in his service, was not permitted to say much for him at death. 
You and I, friend Williams/' said he, " may probably be mute at this 
season. It is usually the mourning Christian, whose mouth is opened 
at that period, in order to evidence his own sincerity, and the faithful- 
ness of God." Mr. Whitefield's death, it is well known, was sudden ; 
and Mr. Williams having fallen into a lethargic state was incapable of 
opening his mouth for God. It may be proper to notice, that though 
the prediction of Mr. Whitefield, recorded at page 396, did not lite- 
rally occur, the deeline of Mr. Williams was rapid, and his own appre- 
hension coincided with the prediction, as a little before the time of its 
being uttered, he had intimated the probability of such an event to one 

o his sisters; 
f 



1 1 4 LETTERS 



4S8 

LETTERS 

OCCASIONED EY 



m* ©eat!) of 0iv. mmtam*. 



FROM THE REV. R. PEARSALL 
To Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick. 

Taunton, December 31, 1755, 

MY DEAR FRIENDS, 

JL IVOLLD write, and know I must, yet bow shali I write 
in a becoming manner on the awful stroke we are now feel- 
ing ! The death of our dear, good friend, will be heard of 
with a more sincere and a deeper groan than that of most 
mortals. How extensive his acquaintance : how manifest 
his excellencies : how cordially respected : how useful : how 
affectionate, was he ! How much concerned for the glory 
of God ; the Redeemer's kingdom ; the progress of holiness; 
and, how ready to engage in every good work ! \ ou may 
well expect me to condole with yon on this occasion. You 
have lost as much a> can be well conceived by the removal 
of one person: and yet, shall not joy be mingled with sor- 
row X If we may ever rejoice at the death of a fellow-mor- 
tal, shall it not be when a saint has been long ripening for 
glory, and is at length received ! When his wishes are real- 
ized, his graces perfected, his enemies subdued, his race run, 
and the prize conferred ! His harvest is now gathered in, 
for which he was ploughing and sowing here below: an 
everlasting jubilee is begun, and so 'everlasting joy shall be 
upon his head.'' Could we now hear how he echoes forth 
the high praises of his God and Redeemer, how enlarged 
hould we rind those strains. If his hallelujahs be as much 
portion, as in this world he was above the common 



FROM THE REV. R. PEARSALL. 489 

rate of Christians, surely he may be distinguished by the vi- 
gour of his praise in the heavenly choir ! I have been ac- 
quainted with him, somewhat intimately, for thirty-six years, 
therefore, must be allowed to know a good deal of him ; and 
I do say, that take him altogether, he was one of the most 
extraordinary persons I was ever acquainted with. I com- 
pare him to a valuable ring, where grace, or the divine na- 
ture, is placed like a large, refulgent brilliant in the centre ; 
while good temper, lively spirits, a constant cheerfulness, a 
tenacious memory, a ready utterance, and a pleasant wit, as 
so many gems, surround it; and all together made as com- 
plete a jewel as ever I knew. Such, my dear niece, was 
your father, who loved you tenderly, and prayed for von fer- 
vently. You have reason to bless God, who favoured you 
with such, I may say, high descent ; for, let the heralds of 
this world say what they will, in the celestial court of ho- 
nour and according to its rules, you are descended from the 
excellent of the earth, from one who was a ' king and priest 
unto God ;' one who, 'as a prince/ had ' power with God ;* 
and so ' wrestled' as often to i prevail.' Only see to it, that 
you walk worthy of all ; that you live up to your signal pri- 
vileges as decended from many ancestors that were ennobled 
by Him who is the fountain of honour. Your grandfather 
Williams was a man, famous in his day and place, for holy 
gravity, and a most strict, serious walk ; and special solem- 
nity in prayer. You have, indeed, numerous relatives gone 
before you to the glorious mansions above, both on your fa- 
ther's and mother's side. See to it, that you and yours be 
' followers of them who through faith and patience inherit 
the promises :' and oh ! that religion, in its purity and power, 
may be transmitted through you to future generations. It k 
matter of sad reflection, that such holy, prayerful, lively Chris- 
tians as yonr dear father Williams was, are removed, when 
there are so few 7 survivors like-minded ; especially as public 
affairs are so situated ; but, blessed be God, there are yet a 



4Q0 ON THE DEATH OF MR. WILLIAMS: 

few like Moses, to stand in the gap. May he with whom 
is 'the residue of the Spirit/ raise up and animate many 
more ! It is to me a sweet recollection that I met my late 
dear brother on his last journey, at South Petherton ; and 
that he went with me to Crewkern, and spent his sabbath, 
so that we were together part of four days ; but, could I have 
foreseen a final separation would take place so soon, how 
should I have dwelled on his lips, and lodged myself, as it 
were, in his arms ! We are not, however, to foreknow future 
events ; and how kind Providence is to keep us in the dark, 
the case before me evinces : for the interview would have 
been grievous and not pleasant, had I known what I now 
do. I am, my dear friends, your affectionate uncle, 

R. Pearsall. 

FROM MRS. CRANE 

To Mrs. Bunnell. 

Bromsgrove, January — , 17o6. 

MY VERY DEAR NIECE, 

What shall I now say to you ? Alas ! I must write, as the 
psalmist said he would ( sing' — c of mercy and judgment.' You, 
as well as others, find the ways of Providence to be myster- 
ious ; and so they always will appear while we are in this 
mutable state : to improve by them ought to be our great 
concern. I doubt not you bear a part with us in the loss of 
my brother Williams. We may well apply the words from 
which Mr. Jenkins preached on Lord's-day — * A great one 
is fallen in Israel.' He gave him an exalted character, but I 
believe not more so than he deserved. The loss is so exten- 
sive it will not be easily summed up. As my brother 
Pearsall wrote in a letter to me, after he had parted with 
your uncle Williams, while on his last journey — " Whenever 
he is removed, it will be like the falling of a large tree ; make 
a wide gap, and many will want the shade and shelter it af- 
forded." He was not very conversable after the first day or 



FROM THE REV. R. JENKINS. 491 

two. He said several times — " I think I shall not recover 
from this illness." At other times he said — " I am glad I 
am come to die at home." " If I die, I know my Redeemer 
lives." " My worldly affairs are settled; and why not die, 
and go to Jesus r" The next day, on being asked — How he 
did, he answered — " Well, in my soul; I wish you all in as 
happy a state." After this, he was not capable of saying 
much, and when a friend desired him to be free as usual, he 
only replied — " Remember what I have said." For some 
days after, he could only utter "Yes," and " No." One of 
the last questions his dear wife put to him was — " Is Christ 
precious now ?" to which he answered — " Yes !" with all 
the emotion of which he was capable. Now he is where he 
he oft longed to be, and has received his ' Well done !' from 
his great Lord and Master. As I believe he was more than 
ordinarily useful in life, I heartily pray the providence of his 
removal may be more than commonly improved, through the 
sanctifying influences of the Divine Spirit. It looks dark, 
when praying persons are removed at a time when we are in 
more than usual need of such, to avert impending-judgments. 
None but God can make up so wide a breach in the family, 
in the church, and in the world. That we may imitate him 
in Christian diligence, and at last overtake him and others, 
who are arrived above, is the desire, both for myself and you, 
of my dear niece, yours in the bonds of love and friendship, 

Sarah Crane. 

FROM THE REV. R. JENKINS 

To Mr. Bunnell. 

Bromsgrove, January 6, 1756, 

DEAR SIR, 

You have heard of the awful dealings of God at Kidder- 
minster, in removing the great and good Mr. Williams. I 
deem this the greatest and most public loss that has hap- 
pened in this country since I came into it ; which is now al= 



492 ON THE DEATH OF MR. WILLIAMS: 

most eight years. The cause of Christ here below has lost 
an able, vigorous, and exemplary advocate and promoter: 
the church to which, in particular, he belonged, has lost 
one of its brightest and strongest pillars : his wife has lost 
one of the best of husbands : his children, a most tender, 
affectionate father ; and his sisters have lost a loving and 
beloved brother, greatly respected and desired : his more 
distant relations have lost a very valuable relative ; of which, 
I doubt not, they are very sensible : the poor, a generous 
and bountiful benefactor: and the world and the church 
have lost one of their most faithful and fervent friends at 
6 the throne of grace/ As to myself, I have lost in him, the 
best private friend and benefactor that ever I had or expect 
to have. Blessed be God ! his gain doth overbalance all 
these losses ; and the God that kindled and so eminently 
fitted him for usefulness in every relation of life l has the 
residue of the Spirit/ and can make up this breach, either 
by one or many. I do not expect to see any one man while 
I live, fill up his place in every respect. 1 must say of him 
as Bishop Wilkins did of Mr. Baxter—" It is a great thing 
to find such a man in one nation every hundred years." 
May we be sincere followers of him in those articles of 
faith and practice, wherein he was an eminent follower of 
Christ ; and we shall, through grace, see him again, and be 
with him for ever. I make no question but the death of this 
dear and venerable man has made a very deep impression on 
the tender spirits of your pious and affectionate help-meet. 
I most heartily wish you the best of all blessings, and am 
your obliged humble servant, 

Richard Jenkins. 



FROM THE REV J. BROWN. 493 

FROM THE REV. J. BROWN 
To the Rev. R. Darracott. 

Chewton, January]!, 1756. 

VERY DEAR SIR, 

I received your kind letter, and am greatly obliged to you 
for those overtures you are pleased to make me of your 
friendship and correspondence ; I embrace them, dear sir, 
with the utmost pleasure. Your letter, indeed brought me 
melancholy tidings. The death of dear Williams affected 
me very nearly, and many tears of deep concern have I shed 
on that account, for he was my clearest friend ; nay, father! 
He was related to me in the nearest manner, and I trust our 
hearts were united in the indissoluble bonds of Christian 
love. He is no more to instruct me in person, yet though 
1 dead' he ' speakcth/ and his words come to me attended 
with a peculiar power ; for since the receipt of yours, I 
have read over some of his valuable letters to me, and every 
thing he says comes home to my heart ; the awfulness of 
that reflection — of his being now with God, adds weight to 
his words. Oh ! what reason have I to be thankful to the 
Almighty for my acquaintance with that dear man : oh ! 
that I may retain a grateful sense of it, and feel my heart 
glow with love to God for his immense favours to so worth- 
less and insensible a creature. O Lord, who can fathom 
the depth of thy mercy to a wretch who has merited thine 
everlasting indignation ! and, had not thy grace been abun- 
dant, whose crimes would have called down, before now, 
thine avenging hand to have destroyed such a daring worm 
from off the face of the earth ! but thou, O merciful Lord, 
hast delivered, and I trust wilt yet deliver me. 

I beg, dear sir, as I have lost the prayers of one wrestling 
Jacob, you would be so good as to supply his place, and 
remember me when you approach ' the throne of grace/ 



494 ON THE DEATH OF MR. WILLIAMS : 

particularly that I may c walk in the light of God's counte- 
nance/ and my corruptions which darken my sight may be 
destroyed. I have indeed a wicked heart, may God cleanse 
it, and break down every idol that pretends to rival his reign 
there. It is my constant prayer, that the Redeemer's king- 
dom may be established in my soul. If I know myself I 
think that I desire above all things to live to God only, 
and to be dead to self, to the world, to its censures, to its 
applauses ; but, oh! { who is sufficient for these things;' yet 
we have this comfort, that we ' can do all things through 
Christ' strengthening us.— You know not the extensive be- 
nefit your kind services may be of, in assisting -a mere novice 
with supplies to feed many hungering and thirsting souls; 
for I can say of my congregations, they hear with the utmost 
attention, and seem to be conscious it is for their souls ; and, 
thank God ! they have no prejudice against me, but on the 
contrary, a tender love for me, and honour me for my work's 
sake : I hope I shall be kept faithful, and deliver them 'the 
whole counsel of God.' — I had the pleasure of breakfasting 
with Lady Huntingdon last Wednesday, and took the liberty 
of shewing her your account of Mr. Williams's death. With 
thanks for prayers and kind wishes on my behalf, I beg 
leave to subscribe myself, dear and reverend sir, your affec- 
tionate friend and unworthy brother, 

J. Brown.* 

FROM THE REV. G. WILDE 
To Mrs. Williams, f 

Birmingham, March 2, 3 756. 

MADAM, 

I acknowledge myself culpable in not writing to you be- 
fore now to condole with you on account of the death of 



* From " The Star of the West/' 

f She died triumphantly, June 17, 1759, aged 53. 



FROM THE REV. G. WILDE. 495 

dear Mr. Williams. Indeed I purposed to take a ride to 
Kidderminster, and by word of mouth to tell you how sen- 
sible I am of your affliction, and how sincerely 1 sympa- 
thize with you in your loss : but my wife's constant bad 
health has hitherto prevented me putting my designs into 
practice. The tidings of Mr. Williams's dangerous sick- 
ness, which did not reach us till the Saturday before his 
death, greatly shocked us ; and this was soon followed with 
the sorrowful tidings of his death. Oh ! how unspeakable is 
the loss of that dear man to the churches of Christ in general ; 
to the church at Kidderminster, and to you, madam, in a spe- 
cial manner ! The interests of Zion lay near his heart. How 
tenderly did he sympathize with it in all its troubles : how 
sincerely did he rejoice in its welfare and prosperity ! Zion's 
prosperity was his chief joy; and it may be justly said of 
him — that there are few like-minded/who naturally care for 
its state : but, Zion has lost a praying friend ; one that 
pleaded both with God and man ; one that wept, and 
mourned, and sighed for it in all its calamities. All 
who had the happiness of his friendship, and I reflect 
with pleasure that I was one of the number, have lost a most 
faithful, wise, affectionate friend. The poor church at Kid- 
derminster has lost a wise counsellor, a pleading, praying 
member ; a cordial well-wisher to its best interests ; and one 
that laid himself out to the utmost to preserve its peace and 
welfare. Now, it is stripped of one of its brightest orna- 
ments ; and I cannot forbear deeply and tenderly sympathiz- 
ing with it, as I am strongly apprehensive that it will be 
every day, more and more sensible of the greatness of the 
loss it has sustained. How ready was he to lift up the hands 
of drooping, doubting souls, and to * confirm the feeble 
knees' of poor trembling Christians! You, however, ma- 
dam, sustain the largest share in the loss of this great and 
good man. The church of God has lost a friend ; but you 



4Q6 ON THE DEATH OF MR. WILLIAMS. 

have lost a faithful guide, a dear companion, a most affec- 
tionate husband : but, what do I say ? Why should 1 set those 
wounds bleeding afresh, that are not yet staunched ! It is 
true, Mr. Williams, in regard of this world of sin, affliction, 
and temptation, is gone: the places in the church, in hifi fa- 
mily, in his useful visits, that knew him once, shall know him 
no more ; yet, * he is not dead but sleepeth ;' sweetly sleep- 
eth m j« rsus. His weary body is at rest. The angels, those 
heaven!) convoys, have carried his soul to heaven; and he 
now seeth eye to eye, and l face to face' him, i whom having 
not seen,' he loved. He is taken off the field of battle, and 
is a conqueror, and more than a conqueror ; while you have 
committed his dear remains to the dust, in hope of a joyful 
resurrection to eternal life. Behold his glorified spirit stand- 
ing amidst thousands and myriads of ' spirits of just men, 
made perfect ;' bowing, and laying his crown at the feet of 
the Redeemer, and crying — f Blessing, honour, glory, and 
power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto 
the Lamb for ever and ever/ Behold, how he exults in his 
happy exchange from a state of conflict to a state of triumph. 
Hear him crying to you, his mourning widow — Weep not for 
me. Methinks his very dust cries aloud to you — Weep not 
for me : my pains, my fatigues, are at a perpetual end : here 
I sweetly rest, waiting for the glorious clay when I shall be 
re-united to that active spirit which oft directed my feet to 
the sanctuary of God, and bowed my knees in humble pro- 
strations at ' the throne of grace.' Under the guardianship 
of his Father and your Father, of his God and your God, he 
has left you. It is true, he has taken possession of the hea- 
venly inheritance a few days before you ; but * yet a little 
while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.' 
That ' rest' which remains 'for the people of God/ is as sure 
to you in the promise, as it is certain to dear Mr .Williams in 
possession; for God who has ' promised,' ' cannot lye :' but, 



HIS CHARACTER SKETCHED. 497 

I must check my pen, lest I weary you. Dear madam, may 

the God of all consolation abundantly comfort and support 

you under all your tribulations, till he shall bring you to that 

better world, where he ' will wipe away tears from off all 

faces :' and that the widow's God may at all times manifest 

himself as your God, is the prayer of your sympathizing 

friend, and humble servant, 

Gervas Wilde.* 



OR, SACRED DIALOGUES BETWEEN A FATHER AND HIS CHILDREN. 

By the Rev. Richard Pearsall, 1765." f 

The Character of Mr. Williams sketched. 

Page 190. — " On the other hand, we all know in a wor- 
thy friend of ours, the power of a contrary virtue under Pro- 
vidence, and the blessing which sometimes attends the frugal. 
I need not mention his name. I do not remember, indeed 
it is impossible I should, the beginning of his prosperity ; 
but have heard many wise persons remark, what a mixture 
of saving and giving ran through his conduct. According 
to his little ability, he was ready to entertain his friends, yet 
more ready to give to the poor, and to every pious use ; but 
to himself he allowed little beyond necessaries. As Provi- 
dence prospered him, he was very cautious how he improved 
the provision of his table, or the clothes he wore, or the fur- 
niture of his house. Here he was like a person ascending a 
steep hill. But neither the sounding of his bowels, nor the 

* This truly pious, judicious and faithful minister, was sixteen years 
pastor of the church in CarrVlane, Birmingham, He died November 
17, 1766, aged 52. 

f In contrasting characters apparently fictitious, Mr. P. on two 
occasions, describes a character, the resemblance of which to his bro- 
ther-in-law Williams, is remarkable for its accuracy, and highly honour- 
able to his friendship. 

Kx 



498 HIS DEATH DEPLORED. 

. f of his hands were restrained from the poor. Gradu- 
ally he shone out, but it was like the suu, with the veil of a 
modest cloud over it; and as he received plentifully. 50 he 
gave plentifully. Thus, his advanced age is peculiar". 
nourable ; he has every thing to make life comfortable : the 
glare of greatness, and the pomp which commonly attends 
the increase of riches, he always avoided ; and the saving of 
this expeiice was a fund for his extensive charity. Few that 
are proper objects go from him empty-handed. PI 
met with losses, but by his frugal management he was pre- 
pared for them, and before-hand with them, so that they did 
not hurt or disturb him. His children, too, are educated 
upon the same judicious plan, though their circumstance? 
are more easy and affluent." 

His Death deplored. 

Page 21S.—" Here, with a melancholy pleasure. I can 
exhibit a contrast. The good man buried in yonder grave. 
under the wall of the church, to which, methinks, I am borne 
along by a certain maguetic influence, was my good friend 
living, and I was one of many that pathetically lamented his 
decease ; yea, many a time since the day that I held up the 
fatal pall, my thoughts have hovered around the spot where 
he sleeps. In his own cause, he was gentle as a lamb : and 
never lost the smile from his brow, which seemed its native 
stat. unless the cause of God and religion summoned a frown 
thither : but, if the honour of his Creator or Redeemer were 
insulted, if virtue oppressed, or goodness persecuted, de- 
manded resentment, it was ready at their call, ana 
alone. He was a patron to whom even the unknown widow 
and orphan fled : he gave them his counsel, lent them his 
friendly arm, and often relieved their necessities. How often 
was he chosen an arbitrator by one or the other, and some- 
times by both the contending parties !* He was a real friend 

*See February 25, 1754. 



HIS DEATH DEPLORED. 499 

to human nature, and thought himself happy if he could pre- 
vent ruinous law-suits ; and yet more so, if he could also ce- 
ment divided hearts, and pour in the reconciling, healing 
bairn upon minds fretted by corroding passions. Withal, he 
was a truly pious man ; he was a Christian in his closet, in 
his family, in the world, and at the house of God; and 
recommended religion by his uniform conduct. By this 
means, he lived and died under the power of that ' Peace 
of God, which passeth all understanding/ Oh ! what a 
gloom hung upon the countenances of many, when his case 
appeared dangerous : but what a general groan was heard, 
when the mournful tidings pronounced him dead ! None 
could be too full of his praises ! How many did I hear la- 
ment over themselves, as having lost their best and only 
friend! And they that could see thousands of a common 
character dead and buried, and make no observation, made 
honourable mention of him. My children, this man was 
your father s friend ; it was my honour that others thought 
him, and himself called himself by that title. Did a great 
man esteem so highly of Sir Philip Sidney, as to have it in- 
scribed upon his grave -stone, that he was — Sir Philip 
Sidney's friend ! I am sure it will redound to my reputa- 
tion to be called his friend, as long as he is remembered to 
be what he was. But I restrain myself, and only add, with 
reference to him — Imitate such wherever you see them, and 
esteem intimacy with them your honour and privilege ; they 
are more valuable than jewels, and more rare ; which puts 
me in mind of a proverb among the Jews, that — Did the 
z&orld know the worth of the godly, rather than part with 
them, it zcoald hedge them about with pearls" 



K K 



ERRATA. 



p. 15, 1. 7. bot. omit the contma after 
reading. 

p. 25. The Greek motto is better ren- 
dered thus, My judgment of the 
stute of my own mind. 

p. 25, 1. bot. for as read which. 

p. 26, note, I. 8, for who was read 
whose death was. 

p.. 2>% 1. 14, and at bot. for Wfa'tttw 
read TWtfim. 

p. 48, note, 1. 3, for the colon put a 
comma. 

p. 56", 1. 21, for guhhed read gushed. 

p. 60, 1. 10, for feeing read been. 

p. 80, note, for p. 71, read 72. 

p. 119, 1, 2, omit the comma after joy. 

p. 121, 1. 14, after cries put a period. 



p. 136, I. 21 > for survivors read $wr- 

wvers. 
p. 203, note, after omit read in his own. 
p. 210, 1. 21, put ? for ! after sling. 
p. 218, 1. 10, bot. for is read are. 
p. 219, 1. 12* after discourage put you. 
p. 225, I. 4, bot. for who, says read 

who says. 
p. 239, 1. 21, omit that. 
p. 275, note, for Dec. 24. read Dec. 30. 
p. 314, 1. 10, should have been printed 

AN HYMN, 
p. 379. 1. 13, omit the inverUd comma, 

before my and place it before and. 
p. 389, 1. 2, for Auvely read Auvetey. 
p. 444, I. 12, bot. for prebends read 

prebendaries. 



INDEX. 



(N.) REFERS TO THE NOTES. 



ABIGAIL, death of his sister, 2 
Academies for intended young mi- 
nisters, opinion of, 400 
Accident, afflictive, improved, 392 
Addington, Dr. S. (N.) 371 
Admonition to the clergy of the 

Establishment, 350 
Admonitions to a minister, 72 
Advice to a newly-married pair, 

293 
Affection, a tribute to conjugal, 

257 
Affections, his, absorbed by the 
world, 43...religiou9, the state 
of, not the criterion of safety, 
267 
Afflicted, counsel and comfort to 
the, 154, 255, 379. ..sympathy 
with the, 320 
Affliction, duties to be observed 
in, 185. ...instructions for 'im- 
provement under, 273. ...God 
his refuge in, 358 
Afflictions, family, 1 ^....sancti- 
fied, 402 
Afflictive dispensations, 397 
Age, old, why not the season for 

becoming religious, 7 
Amanda, to, from Mercator, 134 
Amersham, his reflections near, 54 
Anger, he is guilty of rash, 24... 
the folly of immoderate, llj... 
one of his constitution-sins (see 
Pride), 122 
Anxiety, dissuasives frOm, 352... 
parental, for departed infants, 
441 
Apostles 1 creed, the, practically 

applied, 375 
Apparitions, thoughts on, 84 
Apprentice, interesting account of 
an, 345.. .one of his, awakened, 
362, 365, S67 
Archdeacon of L — » of the, 471 
Associates in defence of his king 

and country, 210 
Assurance, spiritual, the ground* 
of his, 35... evidenced by an act 



of appropriating faith, 48. ..his, 
confirmed, 176. ..his, 438 

Attention directed to the dealings 
of Providence, 222 

Autumn, reflections on, 282 

Auveley, lay-men take their turn 
to attend at, on Lord's-days, 388 

Aylesbury (see Amersham), 54 

Azariah, he contracts an intimacy 
with, and bemoans the incon- 
stancy of, 10.. ..he plans with, 
for spiritual advantage, 14... 
he discards, 61 

Bath waters, his benefit from, 
476 

Baxter, Richard, he meditates in 
the walk of, 42. ..a saying of 
him by Bishop Wilkins, 492... 
his " Saint's Rest ;" by reading 
of it in that book, he is excited 
to the duty of meditation, 46 
....of the benefits he experi- 
enced from Mr. B/s directions 
for self-examination, 250. ..he 
strongly recommends the book, 
323... his " Call to the Uncon- 
verted ;" he wishes to engage 
his brother John to hear him 
read in that book, at intervals, 
263 (see Quotations.) 

Beaconsfield, lines on a pane of 
glass at, 340 

Belief and unbelief, of, 465 

Believing, joy and peace in,73 

Bennett, Rev. James, (N.) 385 

Bent, Rev. — he celebrates the 
Lord's supper with, 61 

Bewdley, interesting particulars 
of a conversation on the road 
from, 7 

tc Biographia Evangelica" 225, 
457 

Birkett, Miss, he was instrumental 
towards her conversion, 27&, 
304. ..an interesting letter occa- 
sioned by her marriage, 335 

Biseck, Mrs. recommended to him 
for a second wife, 379 
K 3 



502 



INDEX. 



Blackmore, Rev. C. QC.) 63... 
a saying of, 212 

Blake, Rev. M. of a letter to 
(N.) 225. ..opinion by, of Mr. 
Whitefield, 350. ..some particu- 
lars of (N.), 350 

Bodily weakness, his, increasing, 
477 

Boldness at the thron e of grace, 312 

Bolton, R. an author recommend- 
ed by Baxter, 372 
'Bradbury, Rev. T. (N.) 369 

Bradford, of his conduct towards 
a dissenter of that place, 304 

Bradshaw, Rev. M. of three ser- 
mons by the, 45. ..referred to, 
416. ..of sermons by the, 103, 
108, 110. ..a funeral sermon by, 
for Mr. J. Tayler, 127... death 
of, 187. ..an hymn occasioned 
by the death of, 188... direc- 
tion by, how to address the 
Lord Jesus in prayer 194. ..al- 
lusions to the, 205, 231 

Brozvn, Rev. J. the young clergy- 
man he was made useful to, 
454, 463 (see Letters.) 

Brother, Endeavours to reclaim a, 
118, renewed, 125... reiterated, 
263 

Brothers-in-law, of a dispute be- 
tween two, 436 

Bunnell, Mr. and Mrs. (see Let- 
ters.) Mess. J. and Z. (N.) 319 

Burgess, Rev. — a gratifying ac- 
count from the, 453 

Butcher s apprentice, an interest- 
ing account of a, 345 

Butler, Mr. sudden death of, 396, 
399 

C , Rev. curate of H. an 

interview with, 470 

Calamity, national, contemplated, 
207 

Canaan, on the language of, 462 

Card-playing, a remark on, 422 

Causes, Christians should not 
overlook the Causer of, 348 

Caution and counsel enforced, 284 

Chapman, Rev. — , Vicar of Brad- 
ford, 455 

Charity envieth not, 278 

Cheerful views of a future state, 
■ 340 

Cherishing serious impressions, 
307 



Child of God, when he received 
an inward witness that he was 
a, 6 

, of his first and of his 

second, 42... the death of a, 88 
...hopeful prospects concerning 
a, 140... concern for the spiri- 
tual welfare of a, 164 

Children, the Christian rejoicing 
that his, are ' born again/ 214 
...wise, make glad parents, 296 

, of his : 

1. John, the birth and death 

of, 42 

2. Phebe, the birth of, 42„.the 

death of, 466 (see Letters.) 

3. Nathaniel, the birth and 
death of, 43 

4. Henry, the birth and death 

of, 62 

5. Hannah, the birth and death 

of, 88 

6. Esther, (born Dec. 10, 1724) 

the death of, 372 (see Let- 
ters.) 

7. Sarah, (born Nov. 2, 1729) 
the death of, 477 (see Let- 
ters.) 

8. Mary, the birth and death 
of, 1 14 

Christ, a spiritual sight of, 42... 
committing the spirit to, 140... 
desiring to see, 147. ..in us, the 
hope of glory, 178. ..invocation 
of, suggested, 191 ....worship 
due to, 194, ...delivered for 
our offences, 208... with them 
that meet in his name, 244... 
the world eclipsed by a sight of, 
259. ..calls his servants, friends, 
269.. .the intercession of, 298 
...exalted, and self abased, 315 
...the supreme object of love, 
3 19. ..trading for, recommend- 
ed, 410 (see Jesus.) 

Christian, the hidden life of a, 
214.. .a, rejoicing that his chil- 
dren are ' born again,' 214... 
the doubting, comforted, 234... 
the desponding, comforted, 288 
...the nominal, 327.. .the, his 
duty in faith and joy, 372 

Christian ministry, the import- 
ance of the, 386 

Christians should not overlook 
the Causer of causes, 348 



INDEX. 



503 



Christmas, a merry, on the phrase, 
421 

Church, he prays behind a but- 
tress of the, 10, 363 

Churchyard, of his walks in the, 
for meditation, 8-1, 91, 162, 
441, 460 

Clearing up of a title to heaven, 
322 

Clergy of the establishment, an 
admonition to the, 350 

Clergyman, promoting piety in a 
young, 454 

Clymer, Mr. advice of, relating to 
marriage, 22.. .a remark by, on 
the untbankfulness of Chris- 
tians, 405 

Comfort, after great dejection, 11 
...laid up for future trials, 239 

Comforts, his dying, 473 

Committing the spirit to Christ, 
140 

Communion with God, 17G 

Communion, sacramental, suggest- 
ed, 191 

Comparison of worldly circum- 
stances, 291 

Condolence, friendly, 366 

Conduct, his, on his life being 
threatened, 99. ..personal, di- 
rections for, 302 

Confession of sins, 22 

Confirming piety in a daughter, 
252 

Conjugal love, 134 

Conjugal affection, a tribute to, 
257 

Conscience, compunctions of, 32 

Consecreation, his self-, 6 

Contentment, a state of true, 123 
...the advantages of, 124 

Conversation, his mind corrupted 
by, 3. ..he succeeds in escaping 
from improper, 4. ..an interest- 
ing one related, 7.. .Christians 
excited to promote spiritual, 
62 

Con-version, reasons for supposing 
his, to be genuine, 20... an en- 
deavour to promote that of a 
fellow-traveller proposed, 347 
...of poor Daniel, 430 

Convinced sinner, the, 119 

Cooper, Mr. John, verses to, 97 

Correspondence, his religious, al- 
luded to, 422 

K i> 



Counsel and comfort to the afflict- 
ed, 154, 255, 379.. .to the de- 
sponding, 236. ..to the friends 
of a minister who was under 
dejection of mind, 412 

Courtship, commencement of his, 
21 

Covenant, he addresses God in, 
17 

Covenant transactions, 24 

Covetousness, when it began to 
prevail in him, 250... he is cured 
of, 252 

C r, Rev. Mr. J—, of, 464 

Crane, Mr. Henry, alluded to, 31 

Crane, Mrs. (N.) 255 (see Let- 
ters.) 

Creed, the apostles', practically 
applied, 375 

Damon to Pythias, 93... from Py- 
thias to, 95 

Daniel, conversion of poor, 430 
...alluded to, 473 

Darracott, Rev. R. an hymn by, 
on the death of a child, 339... 
remarks by, on the death of the 
first Mrs. Williams, 563.. .re- 
commends a lady to Mr. W. tor 
a second wife, 379, 382. ..al- 
luded to, 381, 391, 430, 457, 
463. ..of the memoirs of, (N.) 
385. ..useful occasional labours 
of, at Kidderminster, 388 (see 
Letters ) 

Daughter, promoting piety in a, 
183. ...spiritual instruction ad- 
dressed to a, 2 19. ..confirming 
piety in a, 252 

Davies, Rev. S. on preaching ex- 
tempore, 447 

Davies, — M. D. of Bath, 476 

Day, See New-year 

Days, the wisdom of numbering 
our, 160 

Deacon, when he probably be- 
came a, (N.) 82 

Dead, a computation of the num- 
ber of the, 91 

Dealings, a review of God's, with 
him, 245. ..of Providence, at- 
tention directed to the, 222. 

Death, a memorial of his father's, 
41 

Death, of the Rev. F. Spilsbury, 
60. ..of the Rev. M. Bradshaw, 
187,.. of a child, 88, 11 4.., of a 



504 INDEX. 

grand-child, 339. ..of a friend, 
126. ..of a sister, 135. ..of his 
wife, 356 

— , a time of sickness and, 56 

...sicknes and, improved, 61... 
youth excited to think of, 1 28 
...on fear of, 137. ..preparation 
for, 138.. ..on sudden, 167.... 
New-year's reflections on, 175 
narrow escape from, 186. ..and 
the grave, The saints' triumph 
over, 209.. ..his own, contem- 
plated, 396 
Defence of his king and country, 

he associates for the, 210 
Dejection, comfort after great, 

11 
Dejection of mind, counsel to the 
friends of a minister who was 
under, 412 
Deliverance from fire, 131 
Desertion, ruturning after, 18 
Desire to do good to souls, 304 
Desires, longing, after God, 439 
Desiring God above all, 329 
Desponding, counsel to the, 236 
Desponding, the, Christian, com- 
forted, 288 
Diary, first intimation of his, 7... 
he buys a new book for his x 11 
...the benefits of a, 11 
Diavy, Mrs. Housman's, (N.) 22 
Directions for examining and prov- 
ing ourselves, 299... for personal 
conduct, 302 
Director of our steps; God, the, 

411 
Disappointment, a beneficial, 339 
Disappointments of Providence to 

be acquiesced in, 353 
Discontent, the folly of, 124 
Dispensations, afflictive, 397 
Dissenters vindicated, 7 
Dissuasives from anxiety, 352 
Doddridge^, Philip, D. D. a pro- 
posal by, for the revival of re- 
ligion, 182.,., character by, of 
the Rev. W. Grimshaw, (N.) 
225,, .opinion by, of the Rev. 
G. Whitefield, 350.. .alluded to, 
38$,,, the academy not strictly 
enough governed by, 400. ..on 
preaching extempore, 450 (see 
Quotations.) 
Doubtful uays committed to God, 
446 



Doubting Christian, the, com- 
forted, 234 

Dowler, Mr. and Mrs. (N.) 370 
(see Letters.) 

Dream, of a, 131 

Drinking-glass, he compares him- 
self to a, 37 

Duty, the Christian, of habitual 
praise inculcated, 342 

Duty, the Christian's, in faith and 
joy, 372 

Duty of sympathy, 391 

Duties to be observed in afflic- 
tion, 185. ...a summary of, for 
the newly -married, 335... the, 
of a husband, 424. ..the, of a 
wife, 428 

Earthquakes in London, 349 

Edge, Mrs. the sudden death of, 
167 

Edge, Rev. John, (N.) 167 

Ejaculatory prayer, self-reproach 
for having omitted, ^...recom- 
mended, 254.. .his, 416 

Election, the Rev. W. Grimshaw's 
thoughts on, 229.. .his own opi- 
nion of, 413 

Endeavour, an, to reclaim a bro- 
ther, 118. ...renewed, 125. ..re- 
iterated, 263... to promote the 
conversion of a fellow-traveller, 
347 

Epigramon Dr.Doddridge's motto 
to his own coat of arms, 422 

Establishment, an admonition to 
the clergy of the, 350 

Esther, death of his sister, 2 

.Eternal state, thoughts on his, 54 

Examination, self-, of, 20, 201, 
417. ..he deplores his remissness 
in, 38. ..six tests for, ^...spe- 
cial, 24.. .before the Lord's sup- 
per, 172, 238 

Examining and proving ourselves, 
directions for, 299 

Exercise, faith increased by its, 
468 

Exhortation, self-, 97 

Experience of the Rev. W. Grim- 
shaw, 225 

Experience, a recital of his, made 
useful, 4 33 

Extempore preaching, advantages 
of, 447 

' Faint, yet pursuing,' 18 

Faith, he exercises an appropriat- 



IN D 

ing, 74.., the happiness of liv- 
ing by, 295. ..and joy discuss- 
ed: and the Christian's duty in 
both, 372. ..the effectual prayer 
of, 433... his full assurance of, 
438. ..increased by its exercise, 
468 

Faithful, the meaning of that epi- 
thet, 364 

Faithful Christian minister, 443 

Family afflictions, 112 

Father, his, discourses on the im- 
mortality of the soul, l...he is 
corrected by, for lying, 1... ad- 
dressed the family on the death 
of a child, 2. ..he prevails with, 
to let him work in a private 
room, 4. ..a faithful monitor, 5, 
65... profitable talk by, and par- 
ticulars of a remarkable con- 
versation, 7. ...why he loved, 
more than he loved his mother, 
26... the temporal affairs of, dis- 
closed, 33. ..the effects of the 
disclosure, 35. ..a memorial of 
the death of, 41... the manner 
of the death of, 142... affection- 
ate allusion to, 163. ..he received 
a severe reproof in allusion to, 
247... devoted the early part of 
every morning to religion, 37 1 
...alluded to, 409, 428.. .brought 
home a person who " spoke the 
language of Canaan," 462. ..the 
religious character of, by the 
Rev. R. Pearsall, 489 

Fast, a national, 281 

Fawcett, Rev. B. M. A. preface 
by the, x. ...a note of, to the 
preface, xvi. ...first notice of the 
commencement of the labours 
of, at Kidderminster, 203. ..ac- 
cepts the office of pastor, 206 
...of sermons by the, 208, 233, 
256, 357, 361, 368, 399, 411, 
42 1.... favourably alluded to, 
215, 216, 231, 326, 472, 473 
...an opposition to, apprehend- 
ed, 399 
Fazccett, Mrs. social prayer for, 

434 
Fear and hope, the grounds of his, 

25 
Fear of death, on the, 137 
Field, Rev. H. of Blandford, (N.) 
350 



E x. 505 

Firs, deliverance from, 131 

Flattery rejected, 64 

Freeland, Rev. John, alluded to, 

(N.) 379 (see Letters.) 
Free-school, of the evils he ac- 
quired and practised while there, 
23 
Friend, verses to a, recovered 

from illness, 97... death of a, 

126 
Friendly condolence, 366 
Friends, Christ calls his servants, 

71, 269 
Friendship, pious, 93 
Future state, cheerful views of a, 

340 
Future happiness contemplated, 

383 
Gillies, — of Glasgow, 473 (see 

Quotations.) 
Glory, Christ in us the hope of, 

178 
God, or the world, whether were 

his portion? 103... terrible to 

guilty souls, 108... communion. 

with, 176. ..the omniscience of, 

199. ..desiring, above all, 329... 

his refuge in affliction, 358. ..the 

Director of our steps, 411... 

longing desires after, ' 439.... 

doubtful ways committed to,446 
Godly jealousy over self, pre- 
scribed, 330 
God's dealings with him, a review 

of, 245 
God's gift of his Son, 334 
Gospel call, the, 157 
Grace and nature contending, 36 

...growth in, 110. ...obligations 

to divine, 265.. .boldness at the 

throne of, 312 
Graces, his, strengthened, 43 
Grandchild, death of a, 339 
Grave, the saints' triumph over 

the, 209 
Green, death of his sister, 135 
Green, Miss Hannah, (N.) 379 

(see Letters.) 
Green, Mr. Joseph, (N.) 299... 

desires leave to travel with him y 

306 (see Letters.) 
Green, Mr. Nathaniel, (N.) 379 
Grimshazo, Rev. W.'s experience, 

225 
H ., Rev. C— , curate of, 

470 



506 IN 

Habitual praise, the duty of, 342 
Mall, Dr. J. Bishop of Bristol, 

(N.) 3, (N.) 163. 
Hamilton, Rev. Frederick, (N.) 

370 
Hanbury, Mr. Josiab, £he death 
of, 417.. ..Mr. and Mrs. (see 
Letters.) 
Hancox, Rev. James, (N.) 119 
Hannah, his sister, alluded to, 13 
Happ iness of living by faith, 295 
Happiness, future? contemplated, 

383 
Happiness under suffering, 408 

Hart, Rev. , a pious curate 

of Warminster, 455, 464 
Heart, hard and brawny, 8 
Heaven is the Christian's home, 
174.. .clearing up a title to, 322 
Heavenly-mindedness, 1 56 
Hervey, Rev. James, recommends 
the Rev. R. Pearsall's " Con- 
templations," &c. (N.) 49 

Hieron, Rev. , the facetious 

vicar of Kidderminster, 433 
Holy Ghost, he feared he had sin- 
ned the sin against the, 12 
Home, heaven is the Christian's, 

174 
Hope and fear, the grounds of his, 

25 
Hope of glory, Christ in us, the, 

178 
Housman Mrs. of her Diary, (N.) 
22. ..triumphant death of, al- 
luded to, 321 
Housman, Miss Hannah, (see 

Bunnell) 
Humbling providence, an, 389 
Humiliation-day, how he spent, 

37 
Humphry s, Mr. B. (N.) 380 
Humphrys, Rev. John, (N.) 129, 

370, 380 
Huntingdon, Lady, 494 
Husband, the duties of a, 424 
Hymns, he learned all Mason's, 5 
Hypocrisy, charges himself with, 13 
...he alludes to his, 18, 23, 30, 
24 9... his dread of, 39 
Hypocrite, a description of the, 
238 

J , Rev. — , of C— r, 464 

Jealousy, godly, over self prescrib- 
ed, 330 
Jenkins, Rev. 11, 447 (see Letters.) 



D.E X. 

Jerment, Rev. G. (N.) 380 

Jerusalem New, a prospect of the, 
147 

Jesus, desiring to see, 147. ..wor- 
ship due to, 194 (see Christ) 

Illness, verses to a friend recover- 
ed from, 97 

Importance of the Christian mi- 
nistry, 386 

Impressions, his first serious, 1... 
cherishing serious, 307 

Inclinations, how his pious, be- 
came prevalent, 87 

Income, what portion of, should be 
sequestered for God, 311 

Inculcating resignation, 355 

Infants, parental anxiety for de- 
parted, 441 

Iniquity, on keeping himself from 
his, 80 

Instruction, spiritual, to a daugh- 
ter, 219 

Instructions for spiritual improv- 
rnent in national distress, 212 
...for improvment under afflic- 
tion, 273 

Intercession of Christ, the, 298 

Inviting a relative to the Lord's 
table, 271 

Invocation of Christ suggested, 
191 

Johnson, Dr. S. iii. (N.) 422 

Journey, a disappointment of a, 
made useful, 13, 411. ..his first 
Lancashire, 61. ..second ditto, 
61 ...inconveniences on a, 117 
...a, spiritually applied, 328 

Joy, holy, and the grounds of it, 
35... and peace in believing, 73 
...and faith discussed : and the 
Christian's duty in both, 
372 

Irrationality the, of pride, &c. 
. 351 

Itinerancy, village, 389 

Judgment, thoughts on the last, 
67 

Jukes, Mr. and Mrs. (N.) 28 

King and country, he associates 
in defence of, 210 

Kinsman, a young, death of, 406 

Kirkpatrick, Mr. and Mrs. (see 
Letters.) 

L , the Archdeacon of, 47 t 

L ;, within a mile of H. 470 

Lancashire jour nsy, his first, 60. 



Laricashire journey, his second, 61 
Language of Canaan, the, 462 
Laugh, a time to, 180 
Laymen, pious exertions of some, 

388.. .his opinion of, respecting 

their ministering in holy things, 

400 
Lea, Mr. B. mentioned, 357 
Lea,Mrs. prayer-meeting on behalf 

of, 283 
Lethargy, spiritual, deplored, 14 
Letter, thrust in at his window, 99 
letters: 
From Brown, Rev. J. 493 

Crane, Mrs. 490 

Fr eel and, Rev. J. 26 

Jenkins, Rev. R. 491 

Pearsall, Rev. R. 166, 438 

Sarah, his daughter, (see 

also Winter) 217, 297 

Watson Mr. John, 233 

Watson, Mrs. 28 

Wilde, Rev. G. 494 

To Bunnell, Mr. 370, 382 

— Bunnell, Mrs. 319 

— Cirencester, a gentleman at, 
476 

— Crane, Mrs. 255, 320 

— Correspondent , a, 174 

— Darracott, Rev. It. 443, 472 

— Darracott, Mrs. 383, 388 
To Daughters of Mr. Williams — 

Esther (see also Kirkpatrick) 

219, 259, 273 
Phebe, (see also Hanbury and 

Penn) 140, 157, 159, 164, 

183, 185 
Sarah, (see Winter) 
To Bowler, Mr. 424 

— Dowler, Mrs. (see also Miss 
Green) 428 

— the Gentleman sMagazine,YS± 

— Green, Mr.299, 307, 322, 323, 
331, 346, 422, 438 

— Green, Miss (see also Dowler) 
379 . 

— Hanbury, Mr. 242, 375... 
' Hanbury, Mrs. (see also Daugh- 
ters) 236, 240, 252, 283, 339, 
352,355, 378, 402,. .Hanbury, 
Mr. and Mrs. 191 

To Jenkins, Rev. R. 447 

— Kirkpatrick, Mr. 310, 421 

— Kirkpatrick, Mrs. (see also 
Daughters) 284, 291, 302, 328, 
330, 335, 342, 353, 372 



INDEX. 507 

— Kirkpatrick Mr. and Mrs. 293 

— London, a gentleman at, 474 

— Minister, a, 72. 73 

— Minister, another, 386 
— > Minister, a, under dejection of 

mind, 412 

— Pearsall, Rev. R. 43, 56, 64, 
156,245, 265, 315,344 

— Pearson, Rev.N. 350 

— Penn, Mrs. (see also Daugh- 
ters) 465 

— Philipps, Miss, 154, 296 

— Randall, Rev. T. 358, 362, 
366, 389, 397, 404, 430 

— Richards, Mr. 207,214,283 

— Richards, Mrs. 212,230,348, 
408 

— Richards, Mr. and Mrs. 267 

— Walker, Rev. S. A. B. 457 

— Wallace, Mr. 462, 468 

— Watson, Mr. B. 419 

— Watson, Mr. J. 123, 234, 271, 
277, 279, 347,351, 391,410 

— Wilkinson, Miss, 222, 257, 
275, 295 

— Williams, Mrs. Phebe, 282... 
Mrs. Jane, (his wives) 478, 494 

— Winter, Mrs. (see also from 
Sarah) 477 

Liberality, his rewarded, 419 

Libertine, he had a disposition to 
be a, 265 

Life, his threatened, 99. ..the wa- 
ter of, 159. ..the hidden, of a 
Christian, 214 

Lord, setting the, always before 
us, 331 

Lord's-day, why so called, 15... 
sanctifying the, 170 (see Sab- 
bath.) 

Lord's Supper and Table : 

his admission to 

the, 12.. .confession of sins pre- 
vious to the, 22. ..neglects to 
prepare for the, 31. ..compunc- 
tions for the neglect of due pre- 
paration for the, 32. ..medita- 
tion before the, 65, 168, 172, 
189, 238, 318, 385, 409.. .un- 
happy temper at the, 122. ..hap- 
py temper at the, 203, >60... in- 
viting a relative to tne, 271... 
objections to receiving the, con- 
sidered, 279. ..the nature and 
design of the, 323 

Losses in trade, his, 44 



508 INDEX. 

Love, Christ the supreme object 

of, 3 19... conjugal, 134 
Lukewarmness lamented, 346 
Lying, his father corrects him 
for, 1... dejected on account of, 
11... confession of the sin of, 23 
...a disposition to, 25 
Magazine, Evangelical, 49, 129, 
225, 370. ..Gentleman's, 91, 93, 
97, 134... Theological, 380 
Man, a good, satisfied from him- 
self, 143..rthe Spirit striving 
with, 435 
Marriage, his, 38.^ his soul im- 
poverished for a time after his, 
286... his daughter Sarah's, 368 
...his prospect of a second, 378 
...his second, 381 
Married, advice to the newly-, 
293... a summary of duties for, 
335 
Mason's hymns, he learned all, 5 

...the title of, &c. (N.) 169 
Meadows, effects of a walk in the, 
5.. .retires to the, for contem- 
plation, 10 
Meals, too apt to partake of 

without prayer or praise, 32 
Meditates in the meadows, 2. ..in 

the stable, 5 
Meditation, he recommends, and 
why, 51... before the Lord's sup- 
per, 65, 168, 189, 318, 385, 
409. ..on the heavenly rest, 74 
...among the tombs, 91, 162, 
460 
Meeting-house, his liberal contri- 
bution towards a new, 418, 419, 
434 
Merc at or to his Amanda, 134 
Merchant, the spiritual, 457 
J 1 j,rcies and thanks, 151 
Merry Christmas, on the phrase, 

421 
Methodists, Hartley's remark on, 

350 
Minister, admonitions to a, 72... 
social prayer for the choice of a, 
205. ..Christian, the faithful,443 
Ministers, hymns occasioned by 
the death of, 60, 188 (see Let- 
ters to.) 
Ministry, his inclination to the 
office of the, 82. ..the impor- 
tance of the Christian, 386 
Mother^ he consults bis, on his 



courtship, 21... reasons for lov- 
ing his father more than her, 26 
...his address to, on temporal 
affairs,33...her death, two let- 
ters on, (N.) 26 
Motfershead, Rev. J. 62 (N.), 401 
Name, Christ with them that meet 

in his, 244 
National calamity contemplated, 
207. ..distress, instructions for 
spiritual improvement in, 212... 
fast, a, 281 
Nature and grace contending, 

36 
New Jerusalem, (see Jerusalem) 
Newton, Rev. J. of his memoirs of 
the Rev. W. Grimshaw, (N.) 
225, 229 
New Year, (see Year) 
Nominal Christian, the, 327 
Numbering our days, the wisdom 
of, 160 

O , Mr. the fellow-traveller 

whose conversion was propos- 
ed, 347 
Object, Christ the supreme, of 

love, 319 
Objections to receiving the Lord's 

Supper considered, 279 
Obligations to Divine grace, £65 
Offences, Christ delivered for our, 

208 
Omniscience of God, the, 199 
Orton, Rev, Job, of a sermon, by 

the, 201 (see Quotations.) 
Owen, Dr. Charles, some account 

of, 215. .. mentioned (N.) 401 
Owen, Rev. John, some account 
of, 216. ..Dr. John, (see Quot.) 
Parental anxiety for departed 

infants, 441 
Parents, wise children make glad, 

296 
Parish clerks, indifferent to their 

own mortality, 10 
Patience, his, under severe pains, 

474 
Payton, James, death of a son of, 
the occasion of Mr. W/s first 
serious impressions, 1 
Peace spoken to his soul, 21.. .and 

joy in believing, 73 
Pearsall, Miss Hannah (seeHous- 

man, Mrs.) (N.) 22 
Pearsall, Mr. Henry, respeetful 
mention of, 51 



1 N D 

Pearsall, MissPhebe, he becomes 
a suitor to, 21 

Pearsall, Rev. R. on Mrs. Hous- 
rnan's Diary, (N.) 22.. .a note 
iif the, 48... preaches from — 
* My Beloved is mine,' 6l...do. 
from — ' We must ail appear,' 
&c. 67... on Mr. Cooper, (N.) 
97.. .letters by, 160,285,488... 
opinion of the Rev. R. Winter, 
369... Extracts from, 497 (see 
Letters.) 

Pearsall, Mrs. a note of, 95 

Penn, Mr. H. (N.) 466 (see Lett.) 

Personal conduct, directions for, 
302 

Pharisee, of a boasting, 308 

Philipps, Miss, afterward Mrs. 
Pearsall, (N.) 95 (see Letters.) 

Philipps, Rev. , alluded to, 

(N.) 95 

Piety, his early, 1... his growth in, 
34. ..promoting, in a daughter, 
183. ..son-in-law, 242. ..youth, 
344.. .young clergyman, 454... 
confirming in a daughter, 252... 
rejoicing in a friend's early, 275 
...visiting, a snare to, 283 

Piai/-felhw, he is reproved by a, 
247 

Pious exertions, successful, 434 

Poetry (see Verses). 

Poor, his efforts for the, 165 

Portion, whether God or the 
world were his ? 103 

Praise, the Christian duty of ha- 
bitual, inculcated, 342 

^Prayer, his encouragement to 
take pains in, 18. ..social, for 
the choice of a minister, 205... 
of faith, the effectual, 433 

Praying with a poor man, success 
in, 326 

Preaching extempore, advantages 
of, 447 

Prebendary, account of his con- 
versation with a, 444 

Preparation for death, 138 

Pride, one of his constitution-sins, 

(see Anger) 81. ..an incentive 

to anger, 11 5... his master-sin, 

173. ..the irrationality of, 351 

Prideauc Dean, strictures on the 

life of, 404 
Procrastination reprehended, 277 
Progress, his spiritual, 37 



EX. 509 

Prosperity in trade, 368. ..the re- 
ligious tradesman's conduct in, 
382 
Providence, attention directed to, 
222. ..disappointments of, to be 
acquiesced in, 353. ..an hum- 
bling, 389 
Proving and examining ourselves, 

directions for, 299 
Pythias, from Damon to, 93. ..to 

Damon, 95 
Quotations from, or allusions to, 
Authors, &c. 
Addison, 428 
Anonymous, 58, 235, 320, 340, 

440 
Baxter, Richard, 11, 46, 73, 
74, 111, 164, 168,250,263, 
323, 325, 345, 354, 372, 45 1 
Bogue and Bennett, iv. 
Bolton, Robert, 372,452 
Chrysostom, 257 
Dodd, 452 

Doddridge, Dr. 225, 3S7, 422 
Doolittle, 437 
Flavd, 45,47, 157 
Fenner, 40, 248 
Fordyce, 404 
Gibbons, Dr, 49, 380 
Gillies, 456 
Gouge, 311 
Hartley, Dr. 350 
Henry, Philip, 361 
Herbert, 174, 181, 254, 271, 

293, 312, 348, 371 
Hildersham, 452 
Latham, Dr. 163 
Mason, 52, 1 14, 164, 166, 169 
Middlcton, Erasmus, 225, 457 
Milton, 280 

Newton, Rev. John, 225, 230 
Orton, Job, 215, 216, 400, 447 
Owen, Dr. John, 197, 227 
Perkins, 452 
Pope, 182, 366 
Preston, Dr. 21, 295 
Reynolds, 317, 420 
Howe, Mrs. Ill 
Seneca, 129 
Sharp, T. 24 
Sibbs, 81, 177,452 
Steel, 20 

Watts, Dr. 50, 52, 105, 133, 
174, 176, 177,215,298,324, 
374, 447, 460, 475 
Whately, 395 



510 i £ 

Wilson, Walter,' 350, 400 
Young, Dr. 277, 286, 302,359, 
361, 394, 440 

Radford, Mr. and his son, 7 

Randall, Rev. T. of the, 473 (see 
Letters.) 

Read, Mr. Edmund, death of, 56 

Reading, his method of, for edifi- 
cation, 326 

Recital of his experience made 
useful, 453 

Reflections on spring and autumn, 
282 

Refuge in affliction, God his, 
358 

Rejoichig in a friend's early piety, 
275. ..tribulation, 404 

Religion, the state of, at Kidder- 
minster, 187. ..his opinion of the 
state of, generally, 230 

Heligious impressions, his first, 1 
...ebb and flow, 3 

Religious correspondence, his, al- 
luded to, 422 

Remissness deplored, 38 

Reproved when young, by the mi- 
nister, and its effects, 3 

Resignation, of inculcating, 355 

Resolutions, pious, 30... holy, con- 
firmed, 71 

Rest, the heavenly, 74 

Retirement devout, from the 
world, 106 

Returning, after desertion, 18 

Review of God's dealings with 
him, 245 

Richards, Mr. and Mrs. (see Lett. 

Riches, his desires, carried out af- 
ter, 44... not the proper object 
of trust, 310 

Rising early, he made conscience 
of, 7 

Romaine, Rev. W.'s opinion of 
Mr. Grimshaw, 225 

Rozoe, Mrs. recommends the pub- 
lishing of Mrs. Housman's Di- 
ary, 22 (N.) (see Quotations.) 

Sabbath, on the Christian, 15 

Sabbaths burdensome to him, and 
why, 231 (see Lord's-day.) 

Sacramental communion suggest- 
ed, 19i...meditation,(see Lord's 
Supper) 318, 335, 409 

Safety, the state of the religious 
affections not the criterion of, 
-267 



B E X. 

Saints', the, tiiumph over death 
and the grave, 209 

Saints shine with borrowed ravs, 
264 

Sanctified afflictions, 402 

Sanctifying the Lord's-day, 170 

Saunders, Rev. J. Sermons by, 182 

Scotland, of commotions there, 
207, 210 

Self abased and Christ exalted, 
315. ..examination (see JExami- 
nation),.. exhortation (see ^Ex- 
hortation)... godly jealousy over, 
prescribed, 330 

Seneca, a sublime maxim of, (N.\ 
129 

Serious impressions, cherishing, 
174 

Servant-maid, illness and reco- 
very of a, 112. ..dream by, 131 

Setting the Lord always before 
us, 331 

Sickness and death, a time of, 56 
...improved, 61 

Sight of Christ, the world eclips- 
ed by a, 259 

Sin against the Holy Ghost, he 
feared he had sinned the, 12.. t 
his view of original, 19 

Sins, presumptuous, 20. ..confes- 
sion of, 22 

Sincerity, his hope of, 40. ..soli- 
cited, and flattery rejected, 64 

Sinner, the convinced, 119 

Sister, death of a, 135 

Son, God's gift of his, 334 

Son-in-law, promoting piety in a, 
242 

Soul, peace spoken to his, 21 

Souls, God terrible to guilty, 108 
...desire to do good to, 304 

Spilsbury, Rev. F. sen. he is re- 
proved by, 3. ..notes of the, 3, 
163. ..expounds, 40.. .of ditto 
249. ..death of the, 60. ..well 
acquainted with Mr. WYs tem- 
per, 65... a respectful recollec- 
tion of, ]62...of two sermons 
by the, 230 

Spilsbury, Rev. F. jun. (N.) 3 

Spilsbury, James, of a sermon by, 
43 

Spilsbury, John, A.M. (N.) 3 

Spirit, committing the, to Christ, 
140... the, striving with man, 435 

Spiritual lethargy deplored, 14... 



INDEX. 



511 



watchfulness, 31... progress, his, 
37. ..sight of Christ, 42.. .con- 
versation, Christians excited to 
promote, 6 2... welfare, concern 
for a child's, 164... improve- 
ment in national distress, 212 
...instruction to a daughter, 219 
...condition, Of his nephew's, 
230.. .merchant, the, 457 

Spring and autumn, reflections 
on, 282 

Stable, he meditates in the, 3 

State, thoughts on his eternal, 54 
...cheerful views of a future, 340 

Steps, God the director of our, 
411 

Substance,woi\d\y, improved, 256 

Success in praying wkli a poor 
man, 326 

Successful pious exertions, 434 

Suffering, happiness not incompa- 
tible with, 408 

Summary of duties for the newly- 
married, 335 

Superiority to the world, his, 472 

Symonds, Air. J. apothecary, of 
Shrewsbury, (N.) 180 

Symonds, Mr. J. apothecary of 
Kidderminster, 398, 405 

Symonds, lie v. J. of Bedford (N.) 
399 

Sympathy with the afflicted, 320 
...the duty of, 391 

Table (see Lord's-). 

Taykr,Mv. J. the death of, 126 

Tayler,Rev. T. (N.) 126 

Tea, a property it possesses, 334 

Temper, unhappy, at the Lord's 
table, 122... happy at ditto, 203 

Thankfulness, motives for, 362 

Thanks, mercies and, 151.. .at the 
close of the year, 423 

Theodosia, Miss, 384, 402 

Thompson, Rev. — , of sermons by 
the, 34, 60 

Thoughts on his eternal state, 54 
...the lastjudgment, 67.. .appa- 
ritions, 84 

Throne of grace, boldness at the, 
312 

Time to weep, and a time to 
laugh, 180 

Totnbs, meditation among the, 91, 
^ 162, 460 

Trade, his losses in, 44.. .prospe- 
rity in, 368 



Tradesman, the religious, 370... 

his conduct in prosperity, ^82 
Trading for Christ recommended, 

410 
Traveller , fellow , an endeavour to 
promote the conversion of a, 347 
Trials, his sanctified, 46. ..comfort 

laid up for future, 239 
Tribulation, on rejoicing in, 404 
Tribute to conjugal affection, 257 
Triumph over death and the 

grave, 209 
Trust, riches not the proper ob- 
ject of, 310 
Unbelief and belief, 465 
Uprightness, tests for examination 

of, 20 
Verses by Mr. W. 
Ascend, my soul, on Pisgah 

stand, 147 
At thy command I meekly 

yield, 341 
A vvidow'd church, a flock be- 

reav'd, 188 
Believe me, sir, 'twas sad, 'twas 

shocking news, 97 
By a wise Providence I'm 

brought to this, 316 
By nature vile, by nature blind, 

354 
Dear child ! dear Phebe, how 

shall I express, 164 
From toilsome travels safe re- 

turn'd at last, 95 
Hath death, with awful terrors 

arm'd, 90 
I know to saints death oft js 

sty I'd a friend, 209 
Is there a heav'nly rest? The 

sound, 74 
My best belov'd, thy honest, pi- 
ous lays, 258 
Oh ! may I, at the morning ray, 

314 
O thou, in whom complacence 

dear I find, 134 
Reflecting with repentant sighs, 

175 
Since you will drink, till ev'ry 

serious thought, 125 
Speak I of honours, they to God 

belong, 315 
This thought transporting plea- 
sure gives, 153 
To thy great name, O Prince of 
Peace! 206 



51<2 



INDEX. 



'Twas on the day when sacred 
rest, 264 

We sing our pastor's mournful 
death, 60 

When- I survey my num'rous 
faults, 119 

While distant from my dear 
abode, 117 

Why, O my soul, so loath to 
die? 137 
Village itinerancy, 388 
Visiting, a snare to piety, 283 
Voice, he used a low, in prayer, 

&c. 2. ..and in a soliloquy, 9 
Volunteers, he forms a company 

of, 2 10 
Vow, his first solemn, 6 
Walker, Rev. S. A. B. (N.) 457 

(see Letters.) 
Walker, Mrs. alluded to, 159 
Wallace, Mr. A. some account of, 

473 (see Letters.) 
Watchfulness, spiritual, 31 
Water of life, of the, 159 
Watson, Mr. J. a note of, 128... 

a letter of, 233... alluded to,389 

(see Letters.) 
Watson, Mr. and Mrs. of Broms- 

grove (see Letters.) 
Watts, Dr. J. (see Quotations.) 
Ways doubtful, committed to God, 

446 
Weakness, his increasing bodily, 

477 
Weep, a time to, and a time to 

laugh, 180 
Wesley, Rev. John and Charles, 

respectfully alluded to, 216, 232 
Whitefield, Rev. G. respectfully 

alluded to, 216, 232, 350, 383 

...conjectures the manner of 

the death of Mr. Williams, 396 

...a note on ditto, 487 
Wife, why he preferred a pious,30 

...verses to his, 117.. .his, al- 
luded to, 249... the death of, 



356, 397. ..his prospect of a se- 
cond, 378.. .the duties of a, 428 
(see Letters.) 
Wilde, Rev. G. (see Letters.) 
Wilkinson, Miss, some account of, 
(N.) 129. ..alluded to, 304 (se» 
Letters.) 
Williams, Mr. sen. (see Father.) 
Williams, Mrs. — (see Mother.) 
Williams, Esther, (see Mrs. 

Richards.) 
Williams, Hannah, (see Hannah.) 
Williams, John, Endeavours on 

account of, 119, 125, 263 
Williams, Paul, a note of, 264 
Williams, Phebe, a note of, 28 
Winter, Rev. R. a note of, 369 

...Mrs. (see Letters. 
Wise children make glad parents, 

296 
Witton, Rev. R. a note of, 32 
Worcester, the Bishop of (Dr. 

Maddox) he writes to, 210 
World, his affections absorbed by 
the, 43. ..or God, whether were 
his portion? 103. ..devout re- 
tirement from the, 106.. .eclip- 
sed by a sight of Christ, 259..* 
his superiority to the, 472 
Worldly substance improved, 256 
Worldly circumstances, a compa- 
rison of, 29 1 
Worship due to the Lord Jesus, 

194 
Fcar.thanks at the close of the,42S 
Years-day, New ; reflections on, 

13, 122 
Tear, New ; reflections on death, 

175 
Youth, the best season for becom- 
ing religious, 7. ..excited to 
think of death, 128.. .promoting 
piety in a, 344 
Zeal, religious, he reproaches hin> 
self for too little* 246. 



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